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 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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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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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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Updates and Events

The Cities of Carquinez

Urbanist Article
The cities of southern Solano and eastern Contra Costa Counties are as old as the Bay Area itself. What happens if we start thinking about them as central to the future of the region as a whole?

SPUR Offers Perspective on Historic Preservation Codes

Advocacy Letter
SPUR has been following the revision process for Articles 10 and 11 of the Planning Code for several years and supports the revised sections in their current form. SPUR particularly commends the development of local guidelines for the implementation of Secretary of the Interior Standards, the additions regarding outreach to property owners in potential designated historic districts, the revised timeline for reclassification of Category V buildings and the inclusion of an economic hardship provision.

A Vision for Ocean Beach

Urbanist Article
Dramatic erosion, rising seas and jurisdictional headaches have taken their toll. SPUR's comprehensive new plan offers hope for a better future. The multi-agency Ocean Beach Master Plan includes major changes to the Great Highway, improved bicycle and pedestrian access, dune restoration and a better connection to Golden Gate Park.

Creating a Community Vision for Stockton Street

News /
The Stockton Street Enhancement Project, spearheaded by Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) and SPUR, brought Chinatown and SPUR stakeholders together to discuss ways to preserve the economic and cultural vitality of Stockton Street while offering opportunity areas for improvement through the next decade. The project, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, included a walking tour and two workshops designed…
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