Growth Management, Urban Planning and Affordable Housing — Professor Emeritus in City Planning at San Diego State University, Nico Calavita

The Finest City

This episode features Nico Calavita, Professor Emeritus of City Planning at San Diego State University.

He shares his insightful perspective on the past, present, and future of urban planning and creating affordable and inclusive housing. Nico first shares his background growing up in Italy and his journey to San Diego. He goes into detail on the history of growth management and the city’s Housing Trust Fund and inclusionary housing policy. Nico and Kate reflect on San Diego’s successes in passing the measures, along with the challenges to balance new housing growth with neighborhood quality of life.

Timestamps:

[2:00] Nico’s background in Italy and what brought him to San Diego.

[5:15] Nico’s journey to urban planning and becoming an advocate for affordable housing.

[6:23] His thesis on city and regional planning.

[8:19] Growth management in the 1970s.

[10:34] The five tiers within the Tier Project.

[15:30] How C-3 was part of the coalition that fought to maintain the integrity of the future urbanized areas.

[16:27] The citizens revolt from 1985 to 1988.

[24:26] A few of the basic contradictions of urban planning in San Diego.

[33:57] The Housing Trust Fund.

[1:00:40] Why state funding for affordable housing has decreased considerably over the last 10 years.

[1:19:32] How Nico’s relationship with C-3 began and evolved over the years.

[1:22:25] The challenge in finding a balance between pushing for growth and pushing for housing, while maintaining the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

[1:24:40] How C-3 can provide assistance to the next generation.

About C-3

Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

Nico Calavita LinkedIn

Nico Calavita SDSU

Quotes:

• “I see myself as an advocate for especially the people who have few if any choices.” — Nico [7:34]