Urban Movement Labs Merges with LACI to Scale Zero Emissions Mobility
Julia Thayne & Francis Pollara led a groundbreaking effort to reimagine how cities adopt and deploy mobility technologies and built environment solutions to improve urban life. This required months of rigorous research, advocacy, community engagement, stakeholder relationship management, and strategic partnerships. We galvanized diverse stakeholders, from city officials to private-sector partners, and showed them a new way of governing—one that prioritized agility, real-world deployments, resource efficiency, and tangible outcomes.
This work culminated in the founding of Urban Movement Labs, a pioneering organization designed to operate independently from government while retaining its public purpose. Julia and Francis Pollara co-founded the organization together, fundraising over $2 million in its early stages. Under their leadership, Urban Movement Labs established a board of directors and a high-performing team that carried the organization forward successfully leading several programs, dozens of projects with over 30 public-private partnerships over five years. Urban Movement Labs ultimately merged with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) in 2024. The legacy of this work continues to shape urban innovation in Los Angeles and beyond, a testament to Julia’s ability to create institutions with enduring impact.
As part of the merger, LACI will carry forward the Transportation Technology Innovation Zone (TTIZ) at the Warner Center in the San Fernando Valley. Through the TTIZ, LACI will invite zero emissions mobility, charging, and other solutions into a dedicated, permanent ‘innovation sandbox’ to better serve the needs of over 14,000 Angelenos who call Warner Center their home as well as the 45,000 people who work in the community. The TTIZ will also tie to the work of LACI’s public-private Transportation Electrification Partnership. (TEP) launched in 2018 as well as the related Clean Energy Partnership (CEP)’s transportation energy nexus targets.
Mission
Urban Movement Labs (UML) was a first-of-its-kind nonprofit collaboration of government, businesses, and the community to design and deploy transportation tech solutions in real urban conditions. We built pathways for emerging transportation technology by supplementing city resources as a trusted third space to rapidly develop policy, and scale data-informed, community-driven and tech-enabled mobility solutions. Our work helped communities enjoy a more livable, inclusive and resilient future.
Our Team
Driven by an exceptional team and board, combining deep expertise in transportation innovation, public policy, and community engagement. Their collective vision and leadership helped transform how cities approached mobility technology and policy, creating more connected, sustainable, and equitable urban environments.
The Impact
Economic Opportunity: We leverage our position to encourage new mobility tools and accompanying economic opportunities and workforce development.
Equity & Inclusion: Our transportation system must accommodate and be accessible to all users, especially our most vulnerable community members.
Sustainability & Resiliency: Our transportation system must evolve to address the immediate challenges of climate change, sea-level rise, and extreme weather.
