Abigail Shull

"Join us for an evening of architectural conjecture, urban speculation and landscape futures with BLDGBLOG author Geoff Manaugh. Released last year, the BLDGBLOG book compiles Manaugh's famous genre-defying insights into five chapters—blending history, design, urban exploration, science fiction, climate change and city planning with a keen interest in how humans shape the built environment. Whether you're a fan of the blog or book, this is an event you won’t want to miss!"

"The Water System Improvement Program approved by voters in November 2002 to upgrade the Hetch Hetchy water system has completed 40 of 47 projects in San Francisco. This year, the project will triple its construction efforts as it moves into six counties upgrading regional tunnels, pipelines and other facilities that help bring water to our taps. Join the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Steve Ritchie, Assistant General Manager, and Julie Labonte, Director of WSIP, as they share key challenges to ensuring that 2.5 million Bay Area people continue to receive reliable, affordable, high-quality drinking water in an environmentally sustainable manner."

"With a population of 1.7 million, San Jose is now the region's largest city and has embarked on a series of major plans for long-term growth. Planners propose to remake North San Jose’s suburban-style business district into a walkable, dense corridor around the existing light rail line. Once built, this area will include nearly 68 million square-feet of office space (an increase from today’s 40 million). This is one of the Bay Area's best examples of how to retrofit suburbia with an eye on future-growth. With Executive Assistant Director for Redevelopment John Weiss and Chief Development Officer Paul Krutko."

"A survey of utopian urbanism, 49 Cities provides a remarkable insight into the contemporary metropolis and our efforts over time to make cities more controllable, monumental, organic, taller, denser, sparser or greener. Join us for this opening program with 49 Cities curator Dan Wood, architect and ecological designer Sim van der Ryn and Jennifer Wolch, dean of the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design, who will discuss and debate their varied approaches toward a common goal of achieving a healthier, more resource-efficient world. We’ll conclude with a wine-and-cheese reception in the storefront gallery, where guests will vote on their favorite utopian vision."

"How can we activate some of San Francisco’s stalled construction sites into spaces of beauty, inspiration and public use? What policy incentives are being used to make this idea attractive to landowners? Inspired by a series by the Chronicle’s urban design critic, John King, a handful of local artists and designers have developed innovative proposals for an urban farm, sculptural bird habitat and pop-up stores (to only name a few). Join us for a discussion with John Bela of Rebar, Douglas Burnham of envelope A+D, Sarah Keuhl of Peter Walker + Partners and Michael Yarne of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce and Economic Development. Moderated by John King."

"In this new SPUR tour series, see your neighborhood through the eyes of your district supervisor! Join Supervisor David Chiu on this walking tour of Chinatown. Supervisor Chiu will take us to some of his favorite spots, but with only one hour, we won't see it all. Grab your walking shoes!"

"Each year, San Francisco updates its 10-year Capital Plan and budget. This process, originally proposed by SPUR in 2004, has helped ensure that infrastructure spending gets an appropriate share of public funds. It has also resulted in better planning for bond measures at the local ballot. Come hear how the City plans to prop up (and pay for) its infrastructure in the current economic climate. With Brian Strong  and Adam van de Water from the City's Capital Planning Program and Charles Higueras from the Department of Public Works."

"The Albion Castle in Hunter's Point was originally built as a brewery in 1870 atop freshwater springs. Its original brewmaster dug 300-foot caverns in its basement to serve as reservoirs. For 20 years after Prohibition, the water was supplied to San Francisco for drinking. The castle has fallen in and out of repair over the years, but recent owners have restored it, and it is once again for sale. Come and learn about the castle’s fascinating history, plans for the future and its role in the city's waterscape." 

"One of the first gold-certified LEED for neighborhoods development in California, Tassafaronga Village is a new 7.5-acre Oakland Housing Authority community that brings a diversity of affordable housing to an under-served area of West Oakland. Designed by David Baker + Partners, the Village includes an 80-unit apartment building, 22 Habitat for Humanity townhouses as well as 77 townhouses and a re-purposed pasta factory made into supportive studio housing. Join us for this exciting bicycle tour led by David Baker."

"Come and speak your mind about bicycle issues in San Francisco. This eleven member committee meets once a month and advises the Board of Supervisors on all matters bicycle.