“We have completely inverted the normal model of building a building, district or neighborhood and then expecting the people to come – instead, we are using tactical urbanism to test ideas with the community.”
STACEY LANKFORD PENNINGTON
SLP Urban Planning is an urban planning and design firm based in San Diego that operates at the intersection of sustainable urban planning and design, strategic activation, community engagement, placemaking, and public policy.
SLP Urban Planning has been behind many of downtown San Diego’s most innovative projects and experiences, including Makers Quarter and the activation and revitalization of Downtown San Diego’s iconic Seaport Village. Each of these efforts demonstrates a tactical urbanism approach to optimizing city life, integrating placemaking, strategic activation, economic development, thought leadership, sustainability, and urban planning.
Started in 2006 by Stacey Lankford Pennington (SLP), the initial work involved traditional public and private sector projects, including the public realm and outreach efforts for Lane Field, which is now BRIC, as well as the Public Open Space Implementation Plan on behalf of Centre City Development Corporation (the predecessor to Civic San Diego).
Around 2011, through a process to conceptualize the future of Downtown San Diego’s Upper East Village, SLP tested a new model for community engagement and urban evolution, inspired by the nexus between the traditional ‘top-down’ development style of developers and architects and a rigorous ‘bottom-up’ value system anchored by the site, the context, and the community. This model established a framework for the evolution and growth of what became Makers Quarter and is the foundation for SLP’s current work.
Projects
.....
One Paseo
.....
Seaport Village
.....
Makers Quarter
.....
Sarah Street
.....
Rancho Santa Fe
.....
Lane Field
In the News
SD Business Journal
CBS 8
Seaport Village 'Climate Clash' wrestling match takes place at Seaport Village. The event illustrated what's happening in our oceans.
Virtual Community Engagement and Programming
This week, the San Diego Business Journal featured our nimble transition from on-site collaborative and strategic activation to virtual programming in the article, "Virtual Village Brings Connection, Community and Exploration". Together with the Port of San Diego and Protea, we are thrilled to be able to continue supporting small businesses as well as our community partners.
In an effort to adapt our community engagement and programming at Seaport Village during this COVID-19 timeframe, we have worked with the Port of San Diego and Protea Properties to 'pivot' and take things virtual. You may have noticed invitations each week to Seaport Streams, which features local musicians Thursdays at 6pm and entertainment for the kids on Fridays at 10:30am.
We are thrilled to share with you an inventive, inspirational series of immersive art experiences created by artist Jessica Ling Findley: Ocean Optimism - Art Interpreting Science. This series is timed to coincide with the prestigious Ocean Sciences Meeting between February 16 - 21. Please come visit throughout the week and join us, with a guest, for an opening reception on Sunday, February 16th at 1:30pm.
Five years ago, SLP Urban Planning lead an effort to 'test ideas' at SILO in Makers Quarter, an initiative that continues to inform our approach to urban planning and placemaking. One idea was co-working. Known as BYOW (Bring Your Own Work), we used SILO as an outdoor co-working environment. The SLP Urban Planning team is thrilled to welcome SPACES MAKERS QUARTER into the neighborhood, a stunning co-work space that embodies the ethos and culture of this neighborhood.