Carlos Alberto Huizar is a dedicated and results-driven professional in urban planning and public administration, with extensive experience in project management, land use, legislative affairs, and sustainable development. He currently serves as a Management Associate in the Office of the City Manager for the City of Torrance, California, where he plays a central role in overseeing the City’s real estate portfolio, coordinating legislative advocacy efforts, and administering citywide grant activities. He also manages the City Council’s agenda process and ensures consistency and clarity across staff reports and interdepartmental communications.
Carlos is currently leading the development of the Torrance Civic Center Master Plan, a landmark project aimed at transforming the heart of the city into a more accessible, inclusive, and future-ready public space. This work reflects his commitment to civic engagement and urban reinvestment that honors both community needs and long-term resilience.
Before returning to Torrance, Carlos served as a Senior Planner for the City of Austin, Texas, where he managed high-impact site development cases, including the Four Seasons Lake Austin, Austin ISD Bond Projects, and several large-scale mixed-use and residential developments. His earlier work in Torrance included managing the award-winning One Mile, One Charger EV infrastructure expansion, which helped position the city as a regional leader in sustainable mobility. He also played a key role in projects like the Torrance Port Logistics Center, The Brew’s Hall at Del Amo adaptive reuse, and several affordable and mixed-income housing developments.
Carlos earned his Master of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. In 2023, he was selected to participate in the Urban Land Institute’s Pathways to Inclusion Program, a nationally recognized initiative that supports the advancement of emerging BIPOC professionals in land use and real estate.
He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC), the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CALPELRA), and the American Planning Association (APA), where he is an AICP candidate.
With a strong belief in equitable planning and cross-sector collaboration, Carlos is committed to building communities that are not only livable and inclusive—but inspiring.
Email: chuizar@torranceca.gov