Urban Ecology

Organization Description

Urban Ecology was founded in 1975 by visionary architects and activists who believed that cities should serve both people and nature. From the beginning, Urban Ecology has used urban planning, ecology, and public participation to help design and build healthier cities. The organization strives to create neighborhoods that are thriving, healthy places to live by specializing in participatory land use planning that creates a common vision for change and policy advocacy that turns a community’s vision into reality.

While the San Francisco Bay Area has many nonprofits that advocate for neighborhood revitalization and regional sustainability, Urban Ecology is the only one that operates at both levels simultaneously. They are hands-on in neighborhoods, offering technical assistance with street-scape design, architectural services, and land use planning. They are also active at the city and regional policymaking levels, working to change the rules of the game so more resources are channeled more equitably to create safe, healthy urban communities.

Freeing neighborhoods of excessive auto traffic has long been important to Urban Ecology. In 1985, Urban Ecology worked with Berkeley residents to create a plan for the Milvia “slow street,” which led to a redesign of the road to slow cars and create safer spaces for bicyclists, pedestrians, and residents. In 1998, Urban Ecology helped to lead the winning campaign to create groundbreaking new transportation policies at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Urban Ecology’s mission has always involved local change within a global perspective and they continues to pursue the organization's vision of creating vibrant neighborhoods by listening to communities, designing neighborhood plans to meet residents’ specific needs, advocating change, and serving as an information resource.