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

Can We Achieve Regionalism?

Urbanist Article
The region’s history is full of successful efforts to solve specific regional issues but additional measures are required to tackle current challenges at scale.

The Bay Area in Crisis: A Call to Action

Urbanist Article
SPUR is pleased to announce the launch of a major new project: the development of a regional strategy for the Bay Area. We aim to paint an aspirational picture of a better future, develop strategies to get us there — and inspire others to join us.

Evergreen Senior Homes Initiative: Vote No in June

News /
This June, voters in San Jose will consider the Evergreen Senior Homes Initiative, a ballot measure that would approve a plan to build 900 housing units for seniors on a 200-acre parcel in the Evergreen area. The measure would create significant exemptions from the priorities laid out in the Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan and weaken inclusionary housing requirements. SPUR recommends voting "no."

Parking + Placemaking = San Pedro Squared

News /
San Jose’s San Pedro Square is a one-sided retail and entertainment strip. Bars and restaurants line the west side of the street, but the main feature on the east side is a monolithic parking garage. In 2014, SPUR suggested making the first row of parking on the ground floor available for pop-up uses like food trucks and retail. The idea is now becoming a reality.

SPUR Supports Protected Bikes Lanes at Lake Merritt

Advocacy Letter
SPUR supports the creation of protected bike lanes around Lake Merritt. Two of our core transportation goals are to make our streets safe and inviting for pedestrians and to complete our bicycle networks. This project would accomplish both goals.
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