Good Government
We believe: The public sector can and should serve the collective good.
• Improve government’s capacity to provide services and address challenges effectively.
• Support voter engagement.
Our Goals
SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide
The SPUR Voter Guide helps voters understand the issues they will face in the voting booth. We focus on outcomes, not ideology, providing objective analysis on which measures will deliver real solutions.
SPUR Event
Good Government Awards
The Good Government Awards honor outstanding managers working for the City and County of San Francisco, recognizing them for their leadership, vision and ability to make a difference in city government and in the community.
SPUR Report
Back in the Black
San José has the highest median household income of any major city in the country, but years of budget cuts and staffing reductions have left the city in a precarious position. SPUR and Working Partnerships USA explore how San Jose can bolster its resources and deliver high-quality public services.
SPUR Event
SPUR Impact Awards
The Impact Awards Luncheon, honors the outstanding contributions by employees of city and county governments, public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Santa Clara County. The awards celebrate significant accomplishments in the areas of housing, transportation, placemaking and urban design, community advocacy, and sustainability and resilience.
Updates and Events
It Takes a City
Urbanist Article
Arlene Ackerman and Kathleen Turner field questions on educational reform, the role of parents in education, and the position the city must take to ensure the success of the system.
March 2000 Voter Guide
Voter Guide
Includes SPUR's analysis of seven city measures on the March 7, 2000 ballot.
District Elections in San Francisco
Urbanist Article
The change of electing the Board of Supervisors by district will have a dramatic effect on both who is elected and what they accomplish. SPUR explores voting behavior and San Francisco demographics to gauge the impact.
Evaluating the New City Charter
Urbanist Article
James Haas looks at the Charter's legal viability and its level of success in achieving its goals. Haas suggests that controls should be placed to avoid excessively confusing amendments.
Building Department Review and Inspection
SPUR Report
This report is the fourth in a series of SPUR reports on ways to increase the supply of housing in the San Francisco. The others are: "The Central Waterfront – One SPUR Answer to San Francisco's Housing Crisis" (March, 1998, Report 361); "Zoning for More Housing – Proposed Changes to San Francisco 's Planning Code and Zoning Map" (April, 1998 Report 362); and "Reducing Housing…
Planning for Parks Renaissance
SPUR Report
Funding Section of the Community Parks Task Force The Funding Committee investigated sources of additional funds for San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (R&P) in both the public and private spheres. Its aim was to find promising ideas to build both the annual operating budget and the longer-term capital budget for the department. The recommendations fall into four categories: 1. Department Initiatives: Operating…