Garment workers in downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), who were initially excluded from the development planning process, have finally secured protections and amendments to the DTLA 2040 plan.

The plan, which aims to set the city's development priorities for the next two decades, had raised concerns among garment workers about potential displacement and job losses due to increased residential zoning and the encroachment of housing developments into traditional garment industry areas.

After seven years of being left out of the planning process, garment workers became aware of the plan through allies in the hotel workers' union in 2021. However, recent amendments to the plan have brought relief to an estimated 20,000 downtown garment workers. The changes include increased manufacturing space requirements for new housing developments in the Fashion District, as well as the inclusion of freight elevators and loading docks for manufacturing purposes.

The Los Angeles garment industry, which employs around 40,000 workers and accounts for 83% of the nation's cut-and-sew manufacturing, is a vital sector for the city's economy and the fashion industry as a whole. Furthermore, the industry has shown potential for growth, with many fashion brands responding to the rising demand for sustainable fashion.

The amendments to the DTLA 2040 plan represent a significant victory for the garment industry and its workers, highlighting the importance of considering the needs and preserving the livelihoods of essential industries when formulating development plans.