Celebrating 100 Years of City Planning in San Diego
This year, the City of San Diego’s City Planning Department is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Since 1926, this department has helped guide how the city grows and evolves, shaping everything from neighborhoods and housing to parks and the coastline.
The City Planning Department was established in 1926, with Kevin Gardner serving as its first director. In 1929, the City released its first comprehensive Master Plan, which provided a vision for the construction of public buildings downtown, a well-connected park system and the beautification and widening of major city streets.
Today, the department is led by Director Heidi Vonblum.
“San Diego is one of the most unique cities in the world, and I am proud to work alongside a talented and dedicated team of planners who work every day to improve our communities,” said Vonblum. “As we collaborate with community members to shape the next 100 years, we are committed to scrutinizing and correcting injustices of the past and planning for our city to grow in a manner that best serves all existing and future San Diegans.”
City Planning's work is carried out by a team of professionals with diverse skillsets who help shape many aspects of daily life in San Diego. Their efforts focus on some of the most important challenges and opportunities for the next century, including equity, housing, climate resilience, conservation, historic preservation, mobility and access to parks and recreation.
Planning for More Housing
To help address the housing shortage and affordability crisis, City Planning staff continue to update community plans to create opportunities for more homes near jobs, transit and services, while identifying infrastructure needed to support growth. The department also updates and develops plans and regulations to encourage more housing opportunities for people of all income levels, supporting affordability, sustainability goals and access to opportunity.
Efforts such as Neighborhood Homes for All of Us are helping create more opportunities for the types of homes that families, young professionals and first-time buyers can afford, allowing more San Diegans to stay in the city they call home.
Climate Change and Conservation Efforts
Planning for the impacts of climate change is a major focus for San Diego's future. In 2025, the City was recognized for the fourth straight year for its leadership in climate action and resilience. This includes forward-looking programs such as the Climate Action Plan, Mobility Master Plan and Bicycle Master Plan.
Preserving San Diego’s beaches, coastline, parks and outdoor spaces is another key priority for the next 100 years, and the recently adopted Coastal Resilience Master Plan helps prepare for the impacts of sea level rise. Beyond the coastline, City Planning staff are working to protect the habitats and open spaces that make San Diego County the most biologically diverse region in the contiguous United States through Biodiverse SD.
Expanding and Preserving Parks and Public Spaces
Great weather and outdoor activities are part of what make San Diego so unique, and City Planning works to expand access to parks, trails and recreation opportunities for future generations to enjoy. The department is currently developing the Trails Master Plan and Chollas Creek Watershed Regional Park Master Plan, and will soon begin a comprehensive update to the Balboa Park Master Plan.
In addition to these efforts, City Planning is working to expand and improve public spaces and infrastructure, with an emphasis on equitable investment in communities that have historically been underserved. The department has adopted approaches that encourage the creation of new public spaces alongside new development.
City Planning also works to preserve places that are part of San Diego’s history through the Heritage Preservation Program. This program identifies and preserves these important places while ensuring they can evolve to meet the city’s growing needs.