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This white paper is part of the Better Futures Conversations: Public Policy and Civic Lab series, a research and dialogue initiative hosted by the Better Futures Institute (BFI) in partnership with the City of San Antonio. These policy labs bring together civic leaders, public officials, and community stakeholders to address the city’s most pressing challenges through collaborative discussions and data-driven analysis.
Developed under BFI’s Civic Tech Scholars Program, which prepares emerging STEM leaders to tackle complex social issues, this session focused on the future of urban planning and public infrastructure in San Antonio. Participants explored themes such as sustainability, multimodal transportation, civic engagement, and the role of technology in shaping resilient cities.
Through structured dialogue with public officials, urban planners, and community advocates, several cross-cutting priorities emerged: the urgency of community-centered planning, the need for inter-organizational collaboration, and the importance of equitable infrastructure investment. At the same time, persistent challenges were highlighted, including economic segregation, resident displacement, and gaps in infrastructure and connectivity. Promising practices such as Resilient SA and SA Tomorrow were also discussed as early models for building a more inclusive and climate-adaptive future.
This white paper represents the first step in a broader stakeholder-informed research effort. The next phase will implement a citywide consultation plan, including surveys, public meetings, and digital engagement tools, to ensure that future policy recommendations reflect the lived experiences and aspirations of San Antonio residents.
As part of BFI’s ongoing white paper series, this publication advances a long-term vision for inclusive, sustainable, and responsive governance in San Antonio.
One of the central themes discussed was the importance of community engagement in shaping the built environment. As San Antonio continues to grow, ensuring that residents are actively involved in urban planning decisions is essential for fostering a sense of ownership and preserving the city’s cultural and historical identity.
Research by Fainstein (2010) suggests that successful urban planning requires inclusive participation from residents, especially in projects that will have long-lasting impacts on their communities. Cities like Copenhagen have implemented participatory models where citizens directly contribute to urban development plans, resulting in higher satisfaction rates and more sustainable projects.
Key Opportunity: San Antonio can further engage residents by leveraging digital tools and platforms that make urban planning processes more transparent and accessible. This includes utilizing AI and augmented reality (AR) to allow citizens to visualize future projects.
As urban populations grow, multimodal transportation systems are becoming increasingly important for cities like San Antonio. Multimodal transit integrates various modes—such as buses, trains, biking, walking, ride-sharing, and e-scooters—to enhance connectivity, reduce reliance on cars, and improve environmental outcomes.
Research consistently shows that public transit and multimodal planning can significantly reduce vehicle emissions and congestion. A comprehensive review by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) found that U.S. public transit reduces annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by approximately 102 billion miles—equating to a 3.4% reduction in total VMT—and that the resulting congestion reduction contributes further emission and efficiency benefits
Additionally, micromobility solutions (like shared e‑scooters and bikes) play a vital “last-mile” role. A 2024 Time report notes that around two-thirds of people using shared devices do so to connect to fixed-route transit, and shared micromobility replaced an estimated 74 million pounds of CO₂ emissions across North America in 2022.
Key Opportunity: For San Antonio, this means expanding VIA Metropolitan Transit and making complementary investments in smart traffic systems, dedicated bike and scooter infrastructure, and integrating microtransit options can yield multiple benefits—less congestion, fewer emissions, and improved access to transit.
Achieving sustainable urban growth requires strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as coordination across all levels of government. During the session, participants emphasized the potential of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to pool financial resources, technical expertise, and operational capacity for infrastructure projects that might otherwise stall due to bureaucratic or budgetary constraints.
Research from the International Monetary Fund (2021) highlights that when structured effectively, PPPs can improve service quality, enhance efficiency, and reduce the fiscal burden on governments by shifting certain risks and responsibilities to private partners. Similarly, the Brookings Institution underscores how transportation-focused PPPs can mobilize private capital while ensuring projects remain aligned with long-term public goals (Puentes & Tomer, 2011).
A compelling example of PPP implementation is Los Angeles’ Metro ExpressLanes project. Completed through a partnership between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Caltrans, and private firms, the project successfully transformed high-occupancy vehicle lanes into dynamically priced toll lanes while reinvesting revenues into expanded bus service, park-and-ride lots, and real-time traffic management systems. According to Metro’s final project report, the initiative led to improved corridor performance and more reliable travel times for both transit and carpool users.
Key Opportunity: San Antonio is well-positioned to scale its use of PPPs in upcoming infrastructure projects, especially in transportation and affordable housing. By leveraging private-sector expertise and capital while maintaining public oversight, the city can expedite project timelines, reduce costs, and deliver broader benefits to communities.
Several promising practices in urban planning and infrastructure development are already underway in San Antonio, positioning the city as a leader in sustainable development.
A key barrier to infrastructure development lies in the complexity of public policy and governance processes. Even when projects have broad community support, they often encounter delays due to layered approval procedures, fragmented authority across agencies, and shifting political priorities. In cities like San Antonio, these obstacles can stall much-needed improvements and limit the effectiveness of long-term planning efforts. Streamlining interdepartmental coordination and simplifying regulatory steps could help ensure that infrastructure projects move from proposal to implementation more efficiently.
San Antonio’s current transit infrastructure struggles to meet the mobility needs of a growing and geographically dispersed population. Public transportation options remain limited, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods, where residents face longer commutes and fewer alternatives to car ownership. These disparities in access reduce economic opportunity and strain household budgets. As the city continues to grow, expanding multimodal transit options—including buses, microtransit, and safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure—will be essential to creating a more equitable transportation system.
Efforts to increase urban density—through new housing developments or zoning reforms—can generate significant resistance when residents fear displacement, rising costs, or changes to neighborhood character. Without clear protections for existing communities, such as affordable housing requirements or anti-displacement measures, densification can accelerate gentrification and erode long-standing community ties. Building trust through early engagement, transparency, and equitable development policies will be critical to mitigating these challenges.
San Antonio faces unique environmental pressures that heighten the importance of sustainable resource management. The city’s reliance on a limited water supply, aging energy infrastructure, and vulnerability to extreme heat events all pose serious risks to long-term resilience. These challenges are particularly acute for infrastructure systems, such as transit and utilities, which must adapt to a changing climate while meeting current demand. Investments in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, and integrated water planning will be crucial to safeguarding public health and sustaining growth.
San Antonio is at a critical juncture in its urban development journey. The insights from the Better Futures Conversations underscore the need for bold, data-driven approaches to urban planning and public infrastructure. By enhancing community engagement, promoting sustainable mobility, and leveraging technological innovation, the city can create a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban environment for future generations.
Dr. Alberto Gomez is a San Antonio-based entrepreneur. He is the Co-founder, President, and CEO of Better Futures Institute, and co-founder of Irys Technologies, a data analytics and cybersecurity firm. He holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Creative Industries.
