Upcoming Events

Despite a boom in recent construction, there’s still an array of transit-friendly sites primed for large-scale commercial development in Downtown Oakland. If recent projects are any indication, however, these sites are more likely to become residential towers. What are the challenges to building new office and commercial development in Oakland? Join a conversation between local planners and builders about what needs to happen to ensure that commercial properties can get built.

From hills prone to wildfire to fault lines primed for seismic activity to a waterfront susceptible to rising seas, Oakland sits at the nexus of potential natural disasters. What is the city doing to minimize the effects that its communities will experience during major shocks, as well as the impact of more continuous stresses like homelessness and economic inequality? Come hear from Oakland’s chief resilience officer about the efforts underway to help the city prepare for, resist and recover from these challenges.

The City and County of San Francisco is wrapping up a new cross-departmental effort to improve the city’s readiness for disasters such as earthquakes and to bolster its overall resilience in the face of long-term climate change. Learn from the plan’s leaders about how this new initiative will make the city’s residents safer and more prepared for heat, flooding, wildfires, sea level rise and more.

Part of the belief in American social mobility rests largely upon our faith that opportunity comes through education, and having access to quality primary education is one indicator of future success. How well does the Bay Area provide lower-income residents with access to quality schools? Are we making progress, or are the systems in place propagating the widespread income inequality already seen across the region? In the final part of a three-part series, we’ll discuss whether quality public education can reduce the opportunity and equity gaps and what can be done to turn the tables. Co-presented by KQED.

What is now named Oracle Park opened 19 years ago as the new ballpark for the San Francisco Giants. At the time, the surrounding China Basin and South Beach neighborhoods were far different than the vibrant, transit-accessible district we see today. As the A’s plan a move to Oakland’s Howard Terminal, what can the team learn from the Giants’ experience across the bay? Join us to explore what successful neighborhood investment looks like for a sports team.

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 Matt Mahood, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Organization. Come hear about his career path, what it takes to represent nearly 300,000 employees throughout Silicon Valley, the health and future of the region’s economy and much more.