The November 2026 SPUR Voter Guide

This year’s ballot is a beast. We did the research for you.

photo of traffic congestion on the Bay Bridge

Bumper to Bumper

How potential transit service cuts could affect Bay Area traffic, affordability, and carbon emissions

SPUR's Guide to California Housing Laws

A comprehensive analysis for planners, housing advocates, project sponsors, and community stakeholders

People walking in San Jose's San Pedro Square

The SPUR Annual Report

Learn about our impact

new multifamily housing under construction

Permitting Progress

How charter reform can help San Francisco speed delivery of housing, transit, new businesses, and more

Illustration of a crane stacking cargo containers that say "sound fiscal policy," "structural change" and "economic growth"

Balancing Oakland's Budget

Closing the city’s structural deficit to move toward fiscal solvency and economic growth

Inspiration From Helsinki: Car-Free Living That Really Works

News / August 27, 2014

Is the transportation always greener on the other side of the fence? Helsinki, Finland, recently announced a plan for a transit system that would make car ownership a thing of the past within the next 10 years. SPUR examines how the Bay Area could take inspiration from this integrated, single-payment, mobility-on-demand system.

Transit Envy

Urbanist Article / August 25, 2014

SPUR's recent study trip to London revealed a number of transit innovations worthy of admiration: excellent wayfinding and walkability, iconic buses and successfully implemented congestion charging.

Density Within or Growth Outward?

Urbanist Article / August 23, 2014

It’s a classic city planning debate: As London’s population continues to increase, should it increase density within the existing city or should new towns be built out in the countryside?

The Risky Business Project Takes on Economic Impacts of Climate Change

News / August 7, 2014

How can we get past stagnant partisan arguments about climate change and begin looking at its impact on economic planning and investment? Kate Gordon of Next Generation presented this question at a SPUR lunchtime forum on the Risky Business Project, a nonpartisan effort to quantify and publicize the economic risks from climate change impacts.

Are We in an Affordability Crisis or a Housing Bubble?

News / August 6, 2014

No one in San Francisco is arguing about whether real estate is expensive. There is, however, some debate about how to characterize the astronomical prices. Now that median home values have returned to pre-recession highs, some are compelled to ask: Are we in another housing bubble? Real estate experts Jed Kolko and Tim Cornwell spoke to this question at a recent SPUR forum.