Upcoming Events

Fragmented transit networks, such as what we have in the Bay Area, are not an effective way to convince drivers to switch to public transportation. Providing a seamless experience for riders is one solution to the problem. What if transit riders weren't considered simply riders on BART or Muni, but instead riders across the broader network, shared between operators and relayed between each with care?

At the end of 2019, project partners for Diridon Station announced a concept layout for the spatial configuration of San Jose’s key multimodal transit center. With this unified vision now in place, conceptual design can continue while more closely examining issues of governance, financing and implementation in an effort to better realize the vision and full potential of the station. Come learn about the plan.

2018 may have seen the highest midterm turnout in four decades, but at only 53% voter participation, the U.S. ranks near the bottom of developed countries. The 2020 presidential election is fast approaching, and if history is any guide, 100 million Americans might sit it out. Who are they, and why aren't they participating? With boomers and millennials being the two biggest voting age-groups, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions. From art to activism, and data to door knocking, we'll explore different ways to get people engaged from the local to the national level. Co-presented by KQED.

In partnership with the Port of San Francisco, the Giants' Mission Rock development has been in the works for more than a decade. This 28-acre mixed-use development will break ground on its first phase this year, and when complete will provide 8 acres of public open space, 2.7 million square feet of building area and an impressive 40% affordability for residential units.

In this installment of SPUR’s inspiring Drinks and Discourse series, we sit down with Gene Kohn, founder of the renowned architecture firm KPF. Come hear what it takes to helm a world-class firm for over 40 years, how the industry has changed since he began practicing, how some of the world's iconic buildings came to be and much more.

The Moms 4 Housing group in Oakland has brought fresh interest to the idea of giving nonprofits and residents the opportunity to preserve existing affordability and stabilize communities. In early 2019, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), legislation that provides nonprofits with an early opportunity to purchase properties and match market offers. A year later, hear about the implementation of the program to understand the challenges and opportunities.

San Francisco Unified School District’s (SFUSD) McAteer Culinary Center opened in late 2019 and is already influencing the quality of meals produced and students’ eating habits. Tour the new dining area and kitchen during breakfast to see how students interact with the space, get a chance to taste the new recipes developed in-house and learn how the district plans to expand on this model.

Grab a drink and hear from the key people who are shaping the region’s future. In this installment of SPUR’s inspiring Drinks and Discourse series, we sit down with Kennan Scott, Oakland Unified School District’s manager of computer science. Come hear about what spurred his transition from a transit engineer to an educator, what it takes to lead an vision and curriculum for more than 40,000 students, the critical role that technology plays in building equity and much more.

San Jose approved a major area plan for the Diridon Station area in 2014. Since then, things have changed. While major transit investments are still being planned and developed, plans for an As ballpark fell through, Google decided to invest in a significant new mixed-use development that will expand its local presence, and the city has adopted other design, zoning and environmental policies that will have an impact on what gets built in the Diridon Station area. Join us for a briefing on the scope of the update to the Diridon Station Area Plan. Co-presented by SV@Home.

Comprising the neighborhoods of Grand Lake, Chinatown, Trestle Glen, Highland Park and more, Oakland District 2 is a vibrant core of the city filled with cultural institutions, active commercial streets and tight-knit communities. Join us as we explore the district with its councilmember, Nikki Fortunato Bas, to hear about her favorite gems and how she works to represent her constituents.

Some of San Francisco’s most high-traffic, prominent places have made sure that their food offerings have a local San Francisco flavor. In this way, some of San Francisco’s institutions go above and beyond in their efforts to promote local businesses. Join us for a discussion of what it takes to keep it local when it comes to food retail spaces.

This year, San Jose is undertaking the second four-year review of its general plan, and the task force is wrapping up its work identifying recommendations before the plan heads to the city council this fall. As part of Affordable Housing Week, come learn how this review impacts housing in San Jose and whether the city will meet the region's housing challenges. Co-presented by SV@Home.

The Bay Area often struggles to produce neighborhoods that are walkable, welcoming and facilitate daily life without need of a car. Neighborhoods with these amenities, mostly built before 1930, are scarce and expensive. Although the ingredients seem simple, our policies, codes, standards and politics make it nearly impossible to deliver them. Come explore what it would take to produce these neighborhoods in abundance, and bring the human scale to scale.