July 3, 2025
White Paper: Urban Planning and Public Infrastructure in San Antonio
By: The Better Future Institutes Civic Tech Scholars
Dr. Alberto Gomez
5 min read
White Paper: Urban Planning and Public Infrastructure in San Antonio

Insights from Better Futures Conversations: Public Policy and Civic Lab

Session 1 – Urban Planning and Public Infrastructure: Anthony Chukwudoloue – Deputy Director of Public Works, City of San Antonio, Chris Ryerson – Planning Administrator, Citywide Planning Division, City of San Antonio, Sonia Jimenez – Deputy Director, Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Paola Sofía Fernández – Senior Urban Planner, Stantec, David Robinson Jr. – Development Manager, Weston Urban

Introduction

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.

Key Recommendations:

  • Strengthen civic engagement by meeting people where they are and using technology to ensure broader community participation in urban planning.
  • Invest in multimodal transportation systems to address mobility challenges and reduce traffic congestion.
  • Prioritize affordable housing policies to balance urban density and prevent resident displacement.
  • Enhance public-private partnerships to accelerate infrastructure development and secure funding.

Key Themes and Opportunities for Further Exploration

1. Community Engagement and Preservation

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.

2. The Future of Multimodal Transit

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.

3. Inter-Organizational Collaboration

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.

Promising Practices in San Antonio

Several promising practices in urban planning and infrastructure development are already underway in San Antonio, positioning the city as a leader in sustainable development.

  • Resilient SA / SA Tomorrow: This initiative is a comprehensive resilience plan that focuses on addressing climate change, promoting green spaces, and improving infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events. According to a National Park Service (2019) report, similar projects have reduced flood risks by 18% and expanded green spaces by 25% in urban areas.
  • San Pedro Creek Project: This project balances sustainability and recreation, creating a space for residents while managing flood risks. It preserves the local ecology while addressing long-term community needs, serving as an example of climate-resilient infrastructure.
  • Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP): San Antonio integrates climate projections into its urban planning, proactively designing infrastructure that adapts to changing environmental conditions. This type of climate resilience is crucial for long-term sustainability.
  • AI and AR for Civic Engagement: San Antonio is using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to involve the public in planning discussions, showing potential changes through interactive simulations.
City Council meetings often delay projects, especially infrastructure developments (Source: San Antonio Report)

Critical Challenges in Urban Planning and Public Infrastructure

1. Public Policy and Governance

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.

2. Mobility and Transit

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.

3. Resident Displacement and Resistance to Change

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.

4. Resource Allocation and Climate Resilience

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.

Recommendations for Future Urban Planning and Public Infrastructure

1. Strengthen Civic Engagement Initiatives

  • Improve public participation in urban planning by adopting interactive tools and accessible engagement platforms. Making planning processes more transparent and user-friendly can build trust, encourage resident feedback, and ensure that development reflects the needs and values of diverse communities across San Antonio.

2. Enhance Multimodal Transportation Systems

  • Expand the city’s transit offerings to include a more balanced mix of transportation options—such as improved bus service, biking infrastructure, and micromobility solutions like shared e-scooters. Reducing car dependency will help alleviate traffic congestion, increase accessibility, and support more sustainable urban growth.

3. Prioritize Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

  • Integrate climate adaptation strategies into all stages of infrastructure planning. San Antonio must ensure that public systems—including transportation, energy, and water—can withstand extreme heat, flooding, and other environmental stressors while continuing to serve residents reliably.

4. Incorporate Affordable Housing in Urban Density Planning

  • Embed affordable housing requirements into new residential developments to protect against displacement and promote mixed-income communities. As density increases, clear affordability standards and equitable zoning policies will help ensure that all San Antonians have access to stable, quality housing.

5. Leverage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

  • Encourage greater collaboration between the city and private-sector partners to accelerate infrastructure projects and deliver community benefits more efficiently. San Antonio can strengthen its use of PPPs by aligning public priorities with private innovation and investment, particularly in areas like transportation, housing, and digital infrastructure.

Conclusion

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.

References
Fouad, M., Matsumoto, C., Monteiro, R., Rial, I., & Aydin, O. (2011, May 10). Mastering the Risky Business of Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Departmental-Papers-Policy-Papers/Issues/2021/05/10/Mastering-the-Risky-Business-of-Public-Private-Partnerships-in-Infrastructure-50335 
Hodges, T., & Stoltzfus, J. (2010, January). Public Transportation’s Role in Responding to Climate Change. U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/PublicTransportationsRoleInRespondingToClimateChange2010.pdf 
Istrate, E., & Puentes, R. (2011, December). Moving Forward on Public Private Partnerships: U.S. and International Experience with PPP Units. Brookings. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://time.com/6961342/ban-cars-in-cities/ 
Ridley-Thomas, M. (2015). Metro is transforming LA County. Library Archives. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/publications/2015-report-to-the-community.pdf 
Sax, S. (2024, September 18). From Scooters to Microtransit, Cities Are Embracing Alternatives to Short Car Trips. Time. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://time.com/7022399/micromobility-microtransit-cities-climate/
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