San José, often referred to as the "Capital of Silicon Valley," stands at the forefront of technological innovation and economic prosperity. With a diverse population and a strong regional job market, the city continues to attract residents seeking professional opportunities and a high standard of living. However, the greater Silicon Valley region reports some of the highest percentages of remote workers, and economic prosperity is not evenly distributed. Recent research highlights the continuing income divide and wage gap. Leaders and city staff should look to expansive new and equitable ideas to ensure high quality of living and prosperity in their urban regions and communities.
As a companion to The 15-Minute Neighborhood, SPUR’s policy brief on delivering the ambitions of the 15-minute city model, SPUR collaborated with SOM to develop a case study of San José’s Alum Rock neighborhood using a 20-minute framework. The case study draws upon work completed in 2020 by San José State University’s urban planning studio capstone project Community Priorities for the Alum Rock Corridor and was supported by recommendations and feedback from a working group of local leaders and community-based organizations.