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.

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.

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.

SPUR weighs in on SF Planning Director desired qualifications

Advocacy Letter September 27, 2019

In the wake of John Rahaim's announced retirement, the San Francisco Planning Commission held a hearing on desired qualifications for the next planning director. SPUR weighed in with policy priorities and key characteristics of the next director.

SPUR provides comments on the City of San Jose proposed extension of the downtown high-rise incentive program

Advocacy Letter September 24, 2019

SPUR supports staff recommendation to extend the downtown high-rise incentive program until 2023. While we believe that downtown must have a large concentration of jobs to support transit, it is also important to maximize the potential of high-rise residential development downtown. This program helps ease the financial burden due to the cost of construction and land to help spur greater development in the urban core.

SPUR submits comments on Stanford's proposed 2018 General Use Permit for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meeting on September 24, 2019.

Advocacy Letter September 24, 2019

SPUR supports Stanford’s application to update their permit granting an extension for future campus development through 2035.

Tackling Inequality

Urbanist Article September 24, 2019

Collaboration has been key to solving’s Miami's most pressing challenges around housing, transit and access to economic opportunity.

SPUR Supports The Hub Plan in San Francisco

Advocacy Letter September 17, 2019

SPUR supports the proposed amendment to the Market Octavia Plan through The Hub Plan, which would allow 1,640 additional housing units in a central, transit-oriented location and increase public benefits generated in this plan area by 30%, from approximately $725 million to nearly $950 million. The Hub Plan is one of many tools the city must use to create much-needed homes in San Francisco.

Updating San Jose’s Urban Vision

News / August 20, 2019

Every four years, the City of San Jose reviews and updates selected elements of its general plan, Envision San Jose 2040. Since the last review in 2015, the city has seen incredible demand for development, which requires the community to think comprehensively when it comes to this year's update. SPUR supports the items the city proposes to focus on and suggests additional items to consider.

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