PRAP

How can we reimagine the “Downtown” public realm as a means to economic recovery?

DOWNTOWN SF PUBLIC REALM ACTION PLAN

Downtown San Francisco is full of incredible history, iconic architecture, and walkable blocks yet the district that serves as an economic powerhouse for the Bay Area has seen little investment in the public realm. Simultaneously, commercial districts everywhere are forced to question “business as usual”, as the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped how we work, how the public life unfolds, and how the public realm needs to adapt.

Read the full plan at Downtown SF Partnership’s website

SITELAB urban studio partnered with the Downtown SF Partnership to develop a Public Realm Action Plan (PRAP) that recognizes the opportunities and challenges facing Downtown today and proposes tangible yet bold ideas to transition the district into a social destination. Developed in collaboration with John Bela and Fehr + Peers, the PRAP serves as a roadmap for the next iteration of Downtown SF’s streets and open spaces and demonstrates how urban design can be used to boost economic recovery.

Location / Date:
San Francisco, CA / 2021-2022

Status:
Completed

Site area:
43 blocks of Downtown San Francisco

Client:
Downtown SF Partnership

Design Collaborators:
John Bela, Fehr + Peers

In the News:
Project Website

DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC REALM ACTION PLAN NAMED AS THE WINNER IN THE PANDEMIC ACTION CATEGORY IN FAST COMPANY’S 2023 INNOVATION BY DESIGN AWARDS!

Is this the future of downtown San Francisco?

Downtown SF Partnership shares action plan to a more walkable, active downtown

Inside Downtown San Francisco’s Plan to Reinvent Itself

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The PRAP, published in July 2022, outlines six public realm concepts and strategies focused on creating vibrant and social spaces Downtown. Those strategies include expanding pedestrian space, bringing new energy to existing public spaces, greening the district, creating memorable experiences Downtown through arts and events, strengthening wayfinding and a sense of place, and re-energizing the ground floor.

This work builds upon priorities for the public realm that we heard from surveying the community—drawing from over 800 online and in-person respondents. Recognizing the already incredible assets of the downtown area, the PRAP is centered on converging public and private investments and activating spaces. The Plan identifies six “Action Areas” to apply the concepts in tandem for near-term pilot projects to be deployed within a year, which will generate momentum and inform iterations for a long-term vision.

The Downtown SF PRAP was named winner of Fast Company’s 2023 Innovation By Design Awards in the Pandemic Action Category.