As one of the fastest-growing parts of the Bay Area, Silicon Valley needs a reliable, safe and drought-proof water supply. What can be done in the near term to provide the region with a sustainable water source at a fair price? Speakers: Tara Lohan / WaterDeeply Vu-Bang Nguyen / Silicon Valley Community Foundation Laura Tam
With an increasing awareness of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and a recognition of the social benefits of car-free and car-light living, more and more city planners, advocates and everyday urban dwellers are demanding new ways of building cities. The book Low Car(bon) Communities examines case studies from around the world that aim
What is it that makes a city great? According to noted planner Alexander Garvin, it’s not something physical. Instead, it’s what happens inside the city that makes it exceptional: Great cities are dynamic cities that constantly change to satisfy their demands. His latest book, What Makes a Great City, analyzes this theory and frames it
Oakland has always attracted newcomers who find themselves drawn to the city’s thriving scenes and whose involvement has reshaped the city for future residents. A recent influx, one that includes tech, is also looking to leave its mark on Oakland, but Oaklanders have expressed concern about how much the city could, and should, change in
Zoning, the often-derided tool of planners everywhere, has had 100 years to evolve. Has it? What did zoning get right, what did it get wrong and where can it go from here? Join us as a stellar slate of speakers address this thorny topic. Will they air their qualms or argue their defense? Either way,
The importance of community plays a crucial role in shaping how we live. Now, as our world continues to urbanize and densify, community is as critical as ever. 9 Ways to Build Community With Urban Housing, a new exhibition by David Baker Architects, tackles how we can forge these key bonds through development. Previously on
What is the role of zoning in the Bay Area’s housing shortage? A new body of research is examining the role of local land regulation like zoning — often a reflection of local homeowner concerns rather than regional imperatives — in limiting the supply of housing. Come hear a panel of experts explore the interaction
A fantastic new urban farm has sprouted up on top of the Stanley Saitowitz–designed Garden Village project, located five stories in the air and just blocks from UC Berkeley. Tour this quarter-acre operation with the owner of Top Leaf Farms as we learn about how the farm was installed, the opportunities and challenges of growing
We’re spending billions of dollars on new transit projects in the Bay Area, but it takes more than new infrastructure to get people on board. Come learn about the innovative programs that are being developed to assist travelers around the region in understanding the value of our transit systems and how best to use them.
San Francisco’s Civic Center serves many roles and many people, but how do people use it on a daily basis? The city has partnered with Gehl Studio on a public life study that will help us better understand how people get around and spend time in the area’s public spaces. Come learn how the study’s
One unfortunate effect of the arduous process of building housing in the Bay Area is that development sites, often vacant lots, sit unused for long periods of time while financing, approvals and design takes place. But now, a new form of interim use strategy that focuses on these underutilized sites is emerging. Come explore the
Modular construction is hot here in the Bay Area, and has captured the interest of developers, investors and residents in search of a more effective, potentially less-expensive, way to build housing. Join us as we visit a brand new modular housing project in San Jose for an up-close look at how these units, which are
