San Diego Incubates Civic Innovation

One of Bob Filner's better ideas during his short time as mayor was to establish a Civic and Urban Initiatives program, a think tank to spur innovation and civic engagement. Thankfully this program will outlive Filner's disgraceful departure.

1 minute read

October 28, 2013, 8:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"Former Mayor Bob Filner’s formal push to spur civic innovation endures despite the scandal that ended his mayoral tenure," reports Lisa Halverstadt. The program, tweaked and renamed the Civic Innovation Lab, will be operated by Planning Director Bill Fulton in consultation with UC San Diego professors Teddy Cruz and Fonna Forman.

"Fulton wants to start with smaller moves first. For example, he said, the city might experiment with new ways to approach urban gardening or street striping, or look at ways to add parklets in more San Diego neighborhoods," notes Halverstadt.

“In general, (these are) little experimental things, which could make a big difference in the way neighborhoods look and feel and operate,” Fulton said.

Thursday, October 24, 2013 in Voice of San Diego

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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