Share our vision for a livable San Diego.

From the National President….
Partners for Livable Places was established in 1977 in Washington, D.C. and is dedicated to improving the quality of life in our nation’s communities.

As an international nonprofit organization, we inspire civic improvement by developing greater collaboration between public, private and nonprofit sectors, thus helping to establish mutually beneficial relationships. By working together and actively seeking new resources and strategies. Partners helps to make our cities more livable.

Our main office is in Washington, D.C., and our international office is in Indianapolis. The Partners network currently consists of over 1200 organizations and individuals throughout North America, Europe and Australia.

We consider Partners/San Diego a flagship affiliate. We are pleased that your organization has continued to grow since its inception and we value our close and ongoing relationship.

Robert H. McNulty
National President
Partners for Livable Places

City Shapers
The San Diego chapter of Partners for Livable Places was established in 1982 as part of Partners’ national Economics of Amenities program. The five-year project demonstrated how amenities such as cultural facilities and festivals, parks, historic areas and a revitalized downtown contribute to the economic health of a community and the marketability of a city.

Partners for Livable Places/San Diego was incorporated in 1986 as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation. Membership is composed of concerned individuals and businesses who want to more fully understand city issues, influence decisions and help plan the building of a "world-class" city –especially in the areas of street animation, art, design, historic preservation and innovative development.

Motivators and initiators
Partners develops programs that examine the elements which make a city a thriving urban experience. We act as a "community catalyst" for introducing ideas and strategies that maximize a city’s assets.

Breakfast forums offer the opportunity to network with and acquire valuable information from community leaders and citizen activists. Open debate on current topics and politically charged issues make these well-attended forums dynamic and productive.

Timely symposia and workshops focus on subjects of concern to the San Diego community. We sponsor national experts to speak on such topics as:

• Creating a Livable City
• Public Art Boards – A Blueprint for Success
• The Dynamic 24-Hour City
• Children in the City
• Downtown 20/20 – Visions for Shaping Our Future

Partners recognizes and promotes the positive impact made by individuals, businesses and organizations. Awards, receptions and dinners honor those who contribute to making our city a more desirable place to live and work.

"Partners for Livable Places/San Diego is an invaluable member of the public/private partnership that is necessary to enhance and maintain the quality of life in the city."

Michael J. Stepner
City Architect
San Diego

Resources

Our most valuable resources are the professionals who voluntarily serve on our committees. Their knowledge and skills provide the San Diego community with information and expertise. Combined with the database available through our international Partners network, Partners/San Diego provides the community:

• Our livability scorecard, which offers amenity assessments to developers and educates and sensitizes the public to issues of livability.
• Financing mechanisms to creatively underwrite urban animation programs.
• Legislative advocacy to encourage additional urban amenities.
• Access to the National Partners’ Reference Library, an extensive source that provides private research, books, videos and films pertaining to urban livability.
• Opportunities to interact with other professionals who are working to improve the quality of life not only in San Diego, but in communities throughout the world.

Shaping the future

In 1998 Partners for Livable Places embarked upon a five-year project: Shaping Growth in American Communities. This program builds upon the earlier Economics of Amenities program, but emphasizes the physical and social aspects of managing growth and change.

San Diego, in partnership with the City Architect, was chosen as one of the project communities. The areas of particular concern are:

• Social equity
• Economics of amenities
• Managing community assets

Shaping Growth in American Communities seeks to demonstrate that development and conservation can be compatible. The program examines new ways to build community coalitions to protect and preserve valuable cultural and natural amenities within the context of economic development.

Partners for Livable Places is sensitive to environmental issues affecting livability throughout the nation’s communities. The Environmental Stewardship program addresses these issues b promoting private sector innovation and public sector management. By providing a network of community success stories. Partners will demonstrate how local action creates livable places.