Clairemont community development plan stirs mixed feelings among San Diego residents – NBC 7 San Diego

Clairemont Community Plan Update: An Analysis of Sustainable Development Goal Alignment

Introduction: Urban Redevelopment and SDG 11

A new growth blueprint for the Clairemont community, updating a plan from 1989, has been advanced by a city council planning group. The proposal aims to address housing needs and modernize community infrastructure over a 30-year period. This report analyzes the plan’s components through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a primary focus on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Core Objectives and Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The plan’s central tenets directly support several targets within SDG 11.

• Target 11.1 (Affordable and Adequate Housing): The proposal includes the development of nearly 20,000 new homes, designed to accommodate a population increase of approximately 40,000 residents. This directly addresses the regional housing shortage, a key component of creating inclusive and sustainable cities.
• Target 11.3 (Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanization): Development is concentrated in mixed-use villages, such as the proposed Tecolote Gateway Village, located at existing commercial sites and transit hubs. This strategy promotes densification and efficient land use. The planning process, initiated in 2016, involved 32 public meetings, reflecting an effort towards participatory planning.
• Target 11.7 (Access to Green and Public Spaces): The plan mandates the creation of 14 new parks and new recreation centers. This initiative enhances community well-being and provides universal access to green spaces, as supported by resident Deborah Crossing who noted, “kids need a place to go and play now.”

Infrastructure Development: Supporting SDGs 9 and 11

The plan outlines significant infrastructure upgrades that contribute to building a resilient and sustainable community.

1. Sustainable Transport Systems (Target 11.2): To mitigate congestion from population growth, the plan incorporates:
   • A new trolley station.
   • Enhanced transit corridors.
   • Development of new bike networks.

   These measures promote alternatives to private vehicle use, aligning with goals for accessible and sustainable transport.

2. Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9): The proposal includes the construction of a new fire station and recreation centers, enhancing public safety and community services infrastructure.

Socio-Economic and Environmental Contributions

Beyond urban planning, the proposal has implications for other key SDGs.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The emphasis on parks and active transport infrastructure (bike networks) promotes physical activity. A shift towards public transit can also reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The construction of new residential units, along with commercial spaces in the Tecolote Gateway Village, is expected to stimulate local economic growth and create employment opportunities.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By promoting transit-oriented development and reducing reliance on automobiles, the plan contributes to climate mitigation efforts by lowering the community’s carbon footprint.

Community Perspectives and Challenges

Public response to the plan is varied, highlighting the complexities of achieving sustainable development goals in an existing community.

• Support for Amenities: Residents expressed support for new parks and the preservation of middle-class housing affordability.
• Concerns over Densification: Significant concerns were raised regarding potential negative impacts, including:
  • Increased traffic congestion.
  • Insufficient parking, as noted by resident JR Taylor.
  • A general feeling of overcrowding that could detract from the quality of life for long-term residents.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Clairemont community plan represents a comprehensive effort to align urban growth with key principles of the Sustainable Development Goals. It balances the critical need for housing with investments in green space, sustainable transit, and public infrastructure. However, community concerns about congestion and density underscore the challenge of implementation. The proposal will now proceed to a full city council vote for final approval.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire piece focuses on a new urban development plan for the Clairemont neighborhood, addressing housing, public transportation, green spaces, and community infrastructure, which are all core components of SDG 11.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the development of new infrastructure to support the community. This includes building a “new fire station,” “new recreation centers,” and a “new trolley station,” which aligns with the goal of developing quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The plan’s inclusion of “14 new parks,” “new recreation centers,” and “bike networks” promotes physical activity and access to recreational spaces, contributing to the well-being of the residents. The new fire station also enhances community safety and emergency response capabilities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

   The plan to “add nearly 20,000 new homes” directly addresses the need for more housing mentioned by a council member. The comment that Clairemont is a “fairly middle-class income” area and the desire to keep it that way suggests a focus on housing that is not exclusively high-income, touching upon the affordability aspect.

2. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

   The article explicitly mentions that the plan would add “new transit,” a “new trolley station,” and “bike networks.” The development of the “Tecolote Gateway Village” is planned “right next to the Tecolote Road transit station,” promoting transit-oriented development.

3. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning.

   The article describes a comprehensive “new growth blueprint” that has been in development since 2016. The process included “at least 32 public meetings and workshops to get input from the community,” which directly reflects the participatory planning aspect of this target.

4. Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

   This target is clearly addressed by the plan’s inclusion of “14 new parks” and “new recreation centers,” which are intended to provide residents, especially children, with safe places to play and gather.

5. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.

   The construction of a “new fire station,” “new recreation centers,” and a “new trolley station” represents an investment in essential public infrastructure designed to improve the quality of life and safety for the growing population.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number of new housing units: The article provides a direct quantitative indicator for Target 11.1 by stating the plan aims to add “20,000 homes.”
2. Number of new public transportation facilities: As an indicator for Target 11.2, the article mentions the addition of a “new trolley station” and development around an existing “transit station.”
3. Number of public consultations: For Target 11.3, the article provides a clear metric of the participatory process by stating that the City Planning Department held “at least 32 public meetings and workshops.”
4. Number of new green and public spaces: The plan to add “14 new parks” and “new recreation centers” serves as a direct indicator for measuring progress towards Target 11.7.
5. Number of new community service facilities: As an indicator for Target 9.1, the article specifies the construction of a “new fire station.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbcsandiego.com