黑料传送门Planning Policy Area

Planning

We believe: Growth can be good and should be directed to areas
that will support equitable development and sustainability.

Our Goals

鈥 Leverage growth to create great neighborhoods and public spaces.

鈥 Protect and expand open space.

鈥 Concentrate new jobs and housing in downtowns and near major transit hubs.

鈥 Grow up, not out.

Photo of a locally owned bakery storefront in downtown San Francisco

Policy Brief

Small and Mighty

San Francisco鈥檚 small businesses face complex regulations, rising costs, and slow economic recovery after the pandemic. 黑料传送门identifies seven interventions to support the city's small business sector.
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Photo of a locally owned bakery storefront in downtown San Francisco

Policy Brief

Small and Mighty

San Francisco鈥檚 small businesses face complex regulations, rising costs, and slow economic recovery after the pandemic. 黑料传送门identifies seven interventions to support the city's small business sector.
Read More
Photo of high rise buildings in downtown San Francisco

黑料传送门Report

From Workspace to Homebase

Converting empty offices into apartments could both reanimate downtown San Francisco and provide housing for more people near transit, jobs, and culture. 黑料传送门explores the suitability of converting office buildings to housing and tests the financial feasibility.
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Photo of high rise buildings in downtown San Francisco

黑料传送门Report

From Workspace to Homebase

Converting empty offices into apartments could both reanimate downtown San Francisco and provide housing for more people near transit, jobs, and culture. 黑料传送门explores the suitability of converting office buildings to housing and tests the financial feasibility.
Read More
illustration of a mixed-used downtown with offices, restaurants, childcare, retail, greenspace and transit

Urbanist Article

What If We Get Downtown Right?

黑料传送门asked community leaders: 鈥淲hat would it look like if cities were to get downtown right?鈥 We invited them to picture a future in which today鈥檚 ideas and policy proposals for downtown revitalization are put into place ... and they work.
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illustration of a mixed-used downtown with offices, restaurants, childcare, retail, greenspace and transit

Urbanist Article

What If We Get Downtown Right?

黑料传送门asked community leaders: 鈥淲hat would it look like if cities were to get downtown right?鈥 We invited them to picture a future in which today鈥檚 ideas and policy proposals for downtown revitalization are put into place ... and they work.
Read More
photo of a pedestrian bridge and tree cover over the Guadalupe River

Virtual Exhibition

Re-Envisioning the Guadalupe River Park

The Guadalupe River Park is downtown San Jos茅鈥檚 most important urban green space, but it faces serious challenges. SPUR's virtual exhibition celebrates the promise of the river park and brings together three years of research and conversation about its future.
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photo of a pedestrian bridge and tree cover over the Guadalupe River

Virtual Exhibition

Re-Envisioning the Guadalupe River Park

The Guadalupe River Park is downtown San Jos茅鈥檚 most important urban green space, but it faces serious challenges. SPUR's virtual exhibition celebrates the promise of the river park and brings together three years of research and conversation about its future.
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Updates and Events

al fresco report cover

Making Al Fresco Work

黑料传送门Report /
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Jos茅鈥檚 outdoor dining initiative extended a critical lifeline to businesses and their patrons. The program continues to be a popular way to advance economic recovery and enliven streets. 黑料传送门recommends four strategies for improving upon the Al Fresco Initiative and expanding it to businesses and neighborhoods citywide.
report cover with aerial photograph of San Jose

The Future of Coleman Avenue

黑料传送门Report /
Coleman Avenue sits at the intersection of several plans for San Jose鈥檚 growth. Located near downtown, the airport, and Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, it will be critical to their future success. 黑料传送门and JLP+D present a community-informed evaluation of the Coleman Avenue corridor and make the case that developing a strategic plan for the area will be critical to leveraging it as a key connector and gateway for the city.
San pedro square in san jose

How the 15-Minute City Concept Can Help Shape the Evolution of San Jos茅鈥檚 Urban Form

News /
Many cities grappling with post-COVID-19 economic recovery have seized on the concept of the 鈥15-minute city,鈥 where people can meet most of their needs within a short walk or bike ride from home. San Jos茅 embraced similar principles in 2011, when it proposed 鈥渦rban villages鈥 as a key pillar of its general plan. 黑料传送门believes the 15-minute city concept can help San Jos茅 evolve its urban form to support a more equitable and sustainable future.

黑料传送门Oakland 2023 Draft Safety Element Comments

Advocacy Letter /
Advocacy letter making recommendations for inclusion in Oakland's 2023 Safety Element (part of the General Plan update process). Recommendations were shared with Oakland Policy Board prior to letter submission to City of Oakland.

黑料传送门Comments on Oakland's Draft Environmental Justice Element

Advocacy Letter /
黑料传送门recently submitted comments on the Draft Environmental Justice Element of the City of Oakland 2045 General Plan Update. Overall, 黑料传送门feels that the EJ Element Draft is a thoughtful document that effectively uses data and demonstrates a clear commitment to evidence-based, inclusionary policy. The EJ Element is an important step toward addressing Oakland's past of inequitable city planning and ensuring that all Oaklanders have access to pollution-free air, clean water, a safe home, and other positive environmental factors. In our comments, 黑料传送门offers recommendations on how the EJ Element can be improved to meet these goals.
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