Planning activists in San Francisco are working to encourage infill development without neglecting social equity concerns.
"The Smart Growth and TOD models and encouragement of new urban infill development don't have to be at odds with social equity. A new approach that's being tested in San Francisco is to create and codify mechanisms that redistribute wealth directly from development profits to those sectors of the community that have historically lived in central city neighborhoods and older city suburbs."
"Examples of the types of public improvements that could be funded include affordable housing, economic development and employment training, community facilities and services, open space, and historic and cultural resources protection. Suggested strategies for paying for and mitigating the impacts include new development impacts fees, utilization of existing funding sources, and other funding from special benefits districts."
"This past fall the City also strengthened its inclusionary housing ordinance, now one of the most progressive in the state..."
"Public benefits mechanisms to further increase affordable housing are [also] in the works. One mechanism that is being explored as a part of various planning proposals is the recapture of benefits conferred by the private sector on properties, through rezoning or other City actions. The City is exploring strategies of securing a portion of that benefit so that it can be rededicated back into the community, in the form of needed low-cost housing, open space, or other amenities for the community."
FULL STORY: Linking Social Equity and Smart Growth
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