Our goal at Greenbelt Alliance is to conserve the Bay Area’s natural and agricultural landscapes while promoting smart urban development that creates healthier, thriving communities. One of the most important policy tools that city planners can use to achieve this goal is the urban growth boundary. What Is An Urban Growth Boundary? An urban growth boundary (UGB) separates urban areas from the surrounding natural and agricultural lands, or greenbelts. It puts a limit on how fa

On March 9, Greenbelt Alliance hosted a community meeting at the San Jose Rose Garden Library. Attendees included members from the Buena Vista Neighborhood Association, Burbank Community Association, and Antiques Colony, as well as San Jose city staff and other members of the community. The topic of discussion: tactical urbanism events at the West San Carlos Street and South Bascom Avenue Neighborhoods. Tactical urbanism refers to short-term place-making activities that are d

The West San Carlos Street and South Bascom Avenue urban village plans are available for the public to read and comment on. Each document lays out the vision, goals, policies, and actions necessary to create attractive, walkable, green communities. Both plans envision safe and well-connected neighborhoods, thriving business districts, and gathering places that promote community identity and spirit. They also encourage sustainable design features, such as bioswales, and emphas

Someone once mentioned in passing to me that the 21st Century would be the century of the landscape architect. This makes sense in the face of a dramatic shift away from endless suburban and exurban development to a more urban future. Urban parks, trails, and plazas are essential elements of cities as more people choose to live in compact, walkable neighborhoods—they are the community’s backyard. In a San Jose neighborhood like Buena Vista—which is densely populated, slated f

A complete street is one that follows the 8-80 rule—whether you are 8 or 80 years old, the road is safe for you to use. The intersection of West San Carlos Street and South Bascom Avenue in San Jose is far from safe. Imagine being blind and crossing the intersection of West San Carlos Street and South Bascom Avenue, pictured above. People do it often, as the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center is just two blocks away. Imagine encountering this intersection with a child or a pet i

On April 28, residents donned hats and comfy shoes to join Greenbelt Alliance on a walking tour of the West San Carlos-South Bascom area of San Jose to highlight the need for “complete streets.” Greenbelt Alliance has spent the past several months meeting with neighborhood leaders and partnering with a team of San Jose State University graduate students in preparation for the City of San Jose’s upcoming process to create one of the first urban villages under the newly adopted