Issue 498 to

Beyond the Tracks

How smart land-use planning around future high-speed rail can reshape California's growth

SPUR Report

California cities anticipating the rewards of new high-speed rail stations may fail to reap the full economic and environmental benefits without key land-use planning.

For the 26 cities designated as future high-speed rail stops, the new statewide rail system presents a once-in-a-century opportunity to reshape their local economies and set the course for more compact, less automobile-dependent growth. Beyond the Tracks identifies specific land-use planning strategies that will contribute to the success of high-speed rail and help cities, and ultimately California, realize the full potential of the multi-billion-dollar system.

The SPUR Board of Director reviewed, debated and adopted this report as official policy on October 20, 2010.

SPUR staff: Egon Terplan

Committee: Emily Ehlers, Jerry Goldberg, Gabriel Metcalf, Michael Reilly, Paul Sedway, Mike Teitz