SPUR 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

• Leverage growth to create great neighborhoods and public spaces.

• Protect and expand open space.

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

• Grow up, not out.

Photo of a locally owned bakery storefront in downtown San Francisco

Policy Brief

Small and Mighty

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

SPUR 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. SPUR 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

SPUR 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. SPUR 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?

SPUR asked community leaders: “What would it look like if cities were to get downtown right?” We invited them to picture a future in which today’s 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?

SPUR asked community leaders: “What would it look like if cities were to get downtown right?” We invited them to picture a future in which today’s 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 José’s 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 José’s 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.
Read More

Updates and Events

A Dilemma for "Sustainable Regionalists"

Urbanist Article /
In the early 1990s, regional leaders declared the need for a regional forum to discuss and manage growth. Author Peter Lydon argues for an institution that would take an active role in making development more sustainable.

Sustaining a Livable City in the New Millennium

Urbanist Article /
This article is the text of the keynote address delivered at a community forum focused on livability issues and Federal, State and local decisions that impact the quality of life for San Francisco.

California High Speed Rail Project

SPUR Report /
SPUR’s call for a high-speed rail system addresses seven basic questions, from technology to station locations, route alignment and funding.

The Decline of the Port

Urbanist Article /
Jasper Rubin outlines the transformation of the San Francisco Port as a working industrial port to a commercially zoned waterfront. The collapse was due in part to mechanical and engineering progress that San Francisco didn't have the space or resources...

The Public Trust Doctrine

Urbanist Article /
The evolution of common-law notions of water ownership has left San Francisco with a rich set of laws and precedents for use of its waterfront. While it is prohibited in California to develop trust lands for housing or general office use, some projects have managed to slide through...

Forecasting the Future

Urbanist Article /
This article argues that regional agencies should use modeling and projections to clarify the environmental consequences of investments – and ultimately shift more dollars from roads to transit.
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