A Brief History of Planning in San Diego

As the city of San Diego prepares to consider a new general plan, the San Diego Union-Tribune looks back at the last 100 years in city planning.

1 minute read

March 4, 2008, 10:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

"Formal city planning began in San Diego a century ago and has been fraught with controversy ever since."

"1979 – Mayor Pete Wilson wins City Council approval for a new general plan to guide future development at a time when San Diego's undeveloped northern tier was still years away from being ready for new housing tracts. The idea then was to funnel growth into older, urban communities and charge developers to pay for facilities in newer, developing communities. Years of conflict ensued, including several referendums in the 1980s and '90s, pitting development interests against slow-growth advocates."

"2002 – The 'City of Villages' approach to growth and redevelopment is adopted as the strategic framework for a new general plan; building density guidelines are modified in response to neighborhood objections and slower population growth projections."

FULL STORY: A century of planning

Monday, March 3, 2008 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

Government / Politics History / Preservation Land Use California Master Plan San Diego View More

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.