Northern Section strives to deliver events and programs to help you achieve your professional development and networking goals. Our allied professional organizations also offer events and programs in a variety of formats that you may find align well with your professional and continuing education goals. Here are some upcoming events and programs selected by the Northern News Team:
SPUR — the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association — is a nonprofit public policy organization bringing people together from across the political spectrum to develop solutions to the big problems cities face. Based in San Francisco, San José and Oakland, SPUR is recognized as a leading civic planning organization and respected for its independent and holistic approach to urban issues.
A Conversation with Fred Kelley, Director of the Oakland Department of Transportation
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Tuesday, May 30 | Online Event
Fee: Free
Since July 2022, Fred Kelley has served as director of the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT), where he leads Oakland’s work to envision, plan, build, operate, and maintain an equitable transportation system. Prior to his current role, Director Kelley served as OakDOT’s assistant director, leading 6 operating divisions staffed by 375 engineers, planners, and maintenance workers. Join us for a one-on-one conversation between SPUR’s Transportation Policy Manager Jonathon Kass and Director Kelley to learn more about Kelley’s plans to deliver safe transportation to all Oaklanders.
A Conversation with Oakland D4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Wednesday, May 31 | Online Event
Fee: Free
Councilmember Janani Ramachandran was recently sworn into office as the new representative of Oakland’s District 4, which includes the neighborhoods of Panoramic Hill, Glen Highlands, Dimond, Oakmore, Lincoln Highlands, and more. A public interest attorney, Councilmember Ramachandran was born and raised in the East Bay. She was previously a Commissioner at the City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission and currently serves on the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. Join us for a conversation between SPUR’s Oakland Director and Councilmember Ramachandran, where we will get to know Oakland’s new councilmember and learn about her vision for District 4.
Finding a Way to Pay for Infrastructure Without Taxing New Housing [In-Person Program]
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. | Thursday, June 1 | SPUR Urban Center, San Francisco
Fee: Free
As jurisdictions across California grapple with the state’s worsening housing crisis, leaders in San Francisco need to plan to accommodate 82,000 new homes required by the city’s recently developed housing element. To do so, they will need to remove impediments to housing production, including some parks, transit, and affordable housing fees typically paid by new development. Come hear a proposal for a novel way to support community infrastructure without taxing new housing: the progressive parcel tax. Professors Elmendorf and Shanske from the University of California, Davis, will explain how progressive such a tax can be used to raise revenue without disincentivizing development.
Transformative Community-Government Partnerships in Housing Policy [In-Person Program]
6:00 to 7:00 p.m. | Tuesday, June 6 | SPUR Urban Center, San Francisco, CA
Fee: Free
This event is part of: A BOLD FUTURE FOR EQUITABLE HOUSING IN CALIFORNIA: A SERIES OF EVENTS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS
The pandemic was a stark reminder of the importance of relationships between local government and community. The need for the government to act swiftly and equitably was apparent, as the nation saw an explosion of activism around public health and safety, housing and homelessness, and economic and climate justice. These movements centered the needs of those most affected by the crises, but how can we ensure community voices are centered in policy-making processes?
This panel will discuss Partnership for the Bay’s Future’s innovative model of policy change that facilitates community and government collaboration. This model ensures community leaders have a seat at the table and can better understand the inner workings of government, while also providing resources and insight to government officials as they craft policy.
Regional Finance and Affordable Housing in the Bay Area
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Tuesday, June 13 | Online Event
Fee: Free
Leaders across California are looking at innovative ways to increase the production of affordable housing. One of the biggest questions regarding affordable housing development is the Bay Area’s ability to finance its production. A regional finance agency for the Bay Area started as a bold and improbable idea and succeeded as state legislation in 2019 through unwavering vision, cross-sector collaboration, and perseverance. The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority is now poised to change the way we deliver affordable housing in the nine counties, leading with racial equity, climate, and quality of life goals. Join us for a panel discussion on how BAHFA will deliver on its mandate and maximize the benefits of its partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and the Bay Area Housing for All Coalition.
The Proof Is in the Water: Touring the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center [In-Person Tour]
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Tuesday, June 20 | Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center
Fee: Free
Building code circulation requirements in California profoundly shape the size, quality, accessibility, and location of new multifamily housing. As the state looks at ways to address its need for more housing, interest in the construction of multifamily housing is growing. Most of the developed world outside of the United States and Canada, with the exception of New York City and Seattle, allow single-staircase multifamily housing up to six stories. Join us as panelists from various backgrounds discuss how such housing can safely deliver more diverse multifamily housing options.
Going Deep with Dig Deep Farms [In-Person Tour]
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Tuesday, June 27 | Dig Deep Farms
Fee: Free
Imagine a project that seeks to combine regenerative farming with a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems, climate action, food as medicine to address diet-related health disparities, job training, and employment opportunities. Dig Deep Farms, a project of the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs Activities League, aims to do all of that and more across multiple sites in Alameda County. Founded in 2010, this social-enterprise project is growing food on public land and distributing it to the people who need it most through innovative programs and partnerships. Join us for a tour of one of the Dig Deep facilities as we explore their model of regenerative agriculture in the service of daily relief for those experiencing food insecurity.
Building Partnerships to Advance Nutrition Access & Health: Case Studies from Harvard’s CHLPI and California’s Medically Supportive Food & Nutrition Steering Committee
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Thursday, June 29 | Online Event
Fee: Free
Food insecurity is associated with negative health outcomes, and poor diet is the leading risk factor for death in the United States. These burdens disproportionately affect people from systemically underserved communities. Yet our healthcare system is often not equipped to respond to these and other social drivers of health. How can we build statewide access for medically supported food and nutrition and other health-related social services? Join SPUR, co-convenors of California’s Medically Supportive Food & Nutrition Steering Committee, and the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI) of Harvard Law School for the official release of their case study series illuminating the efforts of community partnerships to advance nutrition under California’s five-year Medicaid waiver, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal. Hear study participants share valuable lessons that can advance health equity, improve access to care, and help speed adoption of similar policies state- and nation-wide.