Issue 529
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2013: The Year in Urbanism
The Uneven Housing Recovery
Housing prices exploded in San Francisco this year, while lagging at pre-recession levels in other parts of the region.
From The Year in Urbanism: In 2013, housing prices exploded in San Francisco while lagging at pre-recession levels in other parts of the region. Could some of the demand for the hottest markets be met by other, more affordable locations that are well served by regional transit?
When Transit Goes Awry
When BART went on strike twice in 2013, the Bay Area learned just how dependent it is on a functioning transit system.
From The Year in Urbanism: When BART went on strike twice in 2013, the Bay Area learned just how dependent it is on a functioning transit system. How do we make sure BART continues to expand to handle more riders as the region grows — and how do we make sure strikes don’t happen in the future?
A New Plan for the Region
The region adopted Plan Bay Area, a major step forward that puts transportation money behind a clear land use vision.
From The Year in Urbanism: Two Bay Area regional planning agencies adopted Plan Bay Area, which combines a relatively compact land use vision for 2 million more people and 1 million jobs with $290 billion in transportation investments through 2040.
The Tech Boom
San Francisco added jobs faster than any other city in the country in 2013.
From The Year in Urbanism: San Francisco added jobs faster than any other city in the country in 2013. The boom-and-bust cycle is an inherent part of capitalism. But underneath the ups and downs of the business cycle are longer-term trends — in this case, the emergence of technology as the dominant employment sector in San Francisco.
A Threat to Planning?
The opponents of Plan Bay Area are undercutting the role of regional planning as a tool to manage long-term growth.
From The Year in Urbanism: Critics across the political spectrum challenged the newly adopted Plan Bay Area, a 30-year regional plan that aligns transportation investments with assumptions about growth. By contesting the fundamental notion of a shared regional responsibility, the opponents of Plan Bay Area are undercutting the role of regional planning as a tool to manage long-term growth.
Ridesharing Accelerates
California gives ridesharing companies the go-ahead to operate under new regulations.
A year after receiving cease-and-desist orders, ridesharing companies like UberX, Sidecar and Lyft got the go-ahead to operate under new regulations in California — the first state to create a regulatory framework for such businesses.
Urban Field Notes: San Francisco’s Construction Boom
Perhaps you’ve noticed? New housing and commercial construction is booming in San Francisco.
Perhaps you’ve noticed? New housing and commercial construction is booming in San Francisco.
Member Profile: Paul Zeger
Committed to Cities
Just one visit to New York City at age 7 was all it took — Paul Zeger was hooked.
A Taste of the Future on North First Street?
Samsung's massive new headquarters could signal a shift towards denser, more urban design in San Jose.
Samsung broke ground on a massive new headquarters for its U.S. Research and Development operations in north San Jose. More than any project to date, the new Samsung campus embraces the city’s vision of a denser, more walkable pattern along North First Street, the city’s tech employment heartland.