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

Is Prefab Pretty Fab?

Urbanist Article
With housing demand higher than ever and construction costs rising, several multifamily developers placed their bets on prefabricated affordable housing in 2015. Motivated in large part by technology's potential for delivering shorter construction times (and sometimes, lower costs), developers are beginning to use modular construction on numerous projects throughout the Bay Area.

A Good Year for Housing Reform

Urbanist Article
From SPUR’s perspective, the November 2015 election was pretty close to perfect in terms of housing policy. The voters took constructive steps to add supply of both market rate and affordable housing, while at the same time rejecting a measure that would have reduced supply.

Merge Regional Agencies to Address Common Problems

News /
The Bay Area is on the cusp of the biggest change in regional planning in decades. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments have just begun a study into how they might merge. Our editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle explains why this is the right move for the region.

Updating San Jose’s 2040 Plan: What We Need to Get Right

News /
When San Jose adopted its general plan, Envision 2040, it signaled a major pivot toward an urban future. This year will see the first review of the plan since its adoption in 2011. G etting the plan right is key to the city’s future, and this review is a chance to do just that. Here are the big issues we need to address.

SPUR Comments On Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program

Advocacy Letter
SPUR is generally in support of the proposed amendments to improving the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program and appreciate staff working with us to work out remaining concerns related to usability.
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