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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Updates and Events

SPUR Supports Updated Design Guidelines for Downtown San Jose

Advocacy Letter
SPUR firmly supports the proposed update to design guidelines for downtown San Jose and urges the San Jose City Council to adopt them as the leading document to support future planning in downtown and the Diridon Station Area.

SPUR Comments on Revisions to the Plan Bay Area Regional Growth Framework

Advocacy Letter
SPUR strongly supports proposed changes to the regional growth strategy for Plan Bay Area. We support the proposed definition of priority development areas and the proposal to locate growth in areas that are rich in transit, high-quality schools, and other resources that promote economic mobility. SPUR also proposes additional changes to strengthen the framework and its implementation.

Re-Envisioning the Guadalupe River Park

Research
From New York City’s High Line to Atlanta’s BeltLine, communities across the country are transforming underutilized infrastructure into engaging public spaces. Building on this national momentum, SPUR has launched a project to reconsider the Guadalupe River Park, an underappreciated gem in downtown San Jose.

SPUR Letter Addresses Oakland's Proposed Public Lands Strategy

Advocacy Letter
SPUR believes Oakland should have a comprehensive public lands strategy; we suggest the strategy comply with the Surplus Land Act, develop a clear process and a transparent criteria for evaluating development proposals, increase the affordable units built on public land, and coordinate with other public entities to support mutual goals.
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