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

Tackling Inequality

Urbanist Article
Collaboration has been key to solving’s Miami's most pressing challenges around housing, transit and access to economic opportunity.

SPUR Supports The Hub Plan in San Francisco

Advocacy Letter
SPUR supports the proposed amendment to the Market Octavia Plan through The Hub Plan, which would allow 1,640 additional housing units in a central, transit-oriented location and increase public benefits generated in this plan area by 30%, from approximately $725 million to nearly $950 million. The Hub Plan is one of many tools the city must use to create much-needed homes in San Francisco.

Updating San Jose’s Urban Vision

News /
Every four years, the City of San Jose reviews and updates selected elements of its general plan, Envision San Jose 2040. Since the last review in 2015, the city has seen incredible demand for development, which requires the community to think comprehensively when it comes to this year's update. SPUR supports the items the city proposes to focus on and suggests additional items to consider.

SPUR Comments on the Forecast Methodology for Plan Bay Area 2050

Advocacy Letter
ABAG and MTC have worked to improve regional long-range forecasting and modeling in the Bay Area. SPUR recognizes MTC and ABAG’s thought leadership and offers additional research and process considerations as they finalize the forecast methodology for Plan Bay Area 2050.

SPUR Support for San Jose's Recent Decisions Regarding Coyote Valley

Advocacy Letter
SPUR supports two decisions the San Jose City Council recently made in regard to Coyote Valley: 1. The decision to revisit the long-term vision for Coyote Valley as part of the General Plan 4-Year Review and 2. the council’s continued support for allocating up to $50 million dollars of Measure T funding for Coyote Valley, as was envisioned in the campaign for the ballot measure.
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