The Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI) is a non-profit research and advocacy organization formed in 1997
to address issues affecting working people in the San Diego region. We conduct research, build coalitions
and advocate for a fair economy in which economic opportunities are accessible to all and no one who
works lives in poverty.
At CPI, we believe in smart growth that creates equitable opportunities for workers and families. Thus, public awareness and participation are tools to ensure that urban planning and development benefits the entire community. Through research-based education and collaborative coalitions of community, labor, faith-based and environmental organizations, CPI advances policies to build San Diego’s future responsibly.
Our research projects explore the continued growth of development and construction in San Diego County and how this impacts the growing divide between prosperity and poverty. These impacts include employment, affordable housing, public revenue, and neighborhood services. The intent of our research is to evaluate whether we are building a San Diego for everyone, by examining development from different points of view including community, public policy, labor union, worker, and developer.
Research Projects
1. Local government sustainability initiatives. What are the obstacles and catalysts for local governments trying to balance the three E’s? How do those factors affect how they attempt to balance them? Take a look at jurisdictions that are making significant strides to linking economics, ecology and equity. Describe the history and interview key players. What were/are the opportunities and what were/are the challenges? Suggestions: Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy campaigns on Clean and Safe Ports, LAX Community Benefits Agreement and Living Wage, or Construction Careers or the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy’s campaigns on Clean and Safe Ports or the Woodfin Suites.
2. Greening of Industries in San Diego County. Investigate how the construction or the hospitality industries could move to better balance the three Es through policies of job quality and living wages by examining what has been done in other areas, why those choices were made and what are the opportunities and challenges to integrating them in San Diego County. Especially interesting is what has been the role of community and public participation in balancing the three E’s. Suggestions include researching other areas and the tools used there as well as interviewing key informants in San Diego County such as planning department staff, hotel union staff and members and green/living wage hotel owners/operators as well as construction union staff and members.
3. SANDAG and SB 375. SB 375 will require that regional planning agencies include specific sustainable strategies in their community growth and transportation plans. What are the requirements of SB 375 and how is our regional planning authority, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) planning on meeting them? Address the basics of the bill, transportation planning and housing planning, especially fair-share housing and jobs-housing imbalances. What are the theories informing them? SB 375 calls for specific action plans for implementation. What is the baseline for San Diego County as of the last regional plan and where are the challenges? Basically, where are we, where do we need to go and what are some strategies for getting there? Lastly, how does this bill work to balance the three E’s? Suggestions include reviewing other jurisdictions such as Portland, OR and Seattle, WA where policies to address these issues are already at work. Interviews with SANDAG planning staff and local community groups interested in smart growth and equity strategies such as Citizens Coordinate for Century Three, Save Our Forests and Ranchlands, Walk San Diego, Accessible San Diego, and others will be helpful.
Contact Information:
Murtaza Baxamusa
Research and Policy Director
Center on Policy Initiatives
3727 Camino del Rio South Ste 100
San Diego, CA 92108
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