Conversations with local elected officials, presented by the Advocacy Committee

Building Conversation

What does it take to build cities that work for everyone who lives in them? Through our Building Together series, AIA Long Beach/South Bay sits down with the region’s elected officials — Mayors, City Council members, planning officials, and State Legislators — for ongoing conversations about how architects and civic leaders can collaborate to shape resilient, inclusive urban environments.

Each event is an open, candid dialogue between a local civic leader and our community. The conversations offer a firsthand look at how policy and planning are shaping the future of our neighborhoods — and at the ways architects, planners, and civic professionals can make the greatest impact, from housing and infrastructure to sustainability and coastal resilience.

The series is presented by our Advocacy Committee, and every conversation is free and open to the public.

The conversations so far

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson — October 23, 2025. Our inaugural conversation filled the Pacific Visions Theatre at the Aquarium of the Pacific: a fireside chat between Mayor Richardson and Lance Collins, AIA, on civic leadership and the built environment. Watch the full recording below, or visit the event page and video recap.

Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Paul Seo — May 13, 2026. Moderated by Board Director and Advocacy Committee member Eric Nulman, AIA, this evening ranged across housing, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, public safety, and the future of Southern California’s coastal cities. See the event page or read the recap with video highlights.

Building Together grew out of the chapter’s long-standing advocacy work, including the 2022 Mayoral Forum on the Built Environment.