San Francisco Planning Commission endorses Civic Center Public Realm Plan in unanimous decision

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On March 27, the Civic Center Public Realm Plan was unanimously endorsed by the San Francisco Planning Commission. The Plan remakes a mid-century landscape that has been designed for exclusion into a civic space of inclusion – a welcoming place that reflects the cultural, social, and economic diversity of the neighborhoods it serves, and embodies the democratic values of the city it represents.⁠
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The Vision transforms Civic Center with three goals: re-establish Civic Center as the heart of San Francisco’s democracy by welcoming all San Franciscans, prioritize the urban forest for connection to nature, beauty, and shelter, and create an inviting place for public life through open space activation and essential amenities.⁠
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Congratulations to the project team for this achievement and milestone!

People

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Willett Moss
Partner
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Wesley Cogan
Associate
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Arturo Fuentes-Ortiz
Designer
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David Gastañeta
Associate
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Matt Arnold
Associate
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Julia Price
Studio Manager
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Sam Woodhams-Roberts
Senior Associate

Ideas

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Democratic Public Space

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In ancient Greek cities, the agora brought people together in the same space for daily life, including commerce, politics, and social interaction. This was at a time when the European idea of democracy, or “people power” was conceived. There is a direct relationship between people sharing space with one another and caring about one another. Inclusive public space that brings together diverse people from all walks of life is more important than ever for sustaining democracy.

Places

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Civic Center Public Space Design

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Civic Center is at the heart of San Francisco’s democracy – a vital open space for the city’s highest-density neighborhoods and a national historic landmark. After decades of neglect and failed revitalization attempts, a new vision is developed through a community-based process bringing together 75 institutions and community groups, thousands of city residents and workers, and governmental stakeholders to reimagine what contemporary democratic public space could be. The Civic Center Public Space Design transforms the historic district into thriving social infrastructure, prioritizing public life and local needs.
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Civic Center Community Outreach

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The vision for Civic Center represents eighteen months of community and City stakeholder input. Founded upon engagement and analysis, the Plan includes concept alternatives and a preferred concept plan uniting Civic Center’s three public spaces: Civic Center Plaza, Fulton Mall and UN Plaza.