Our History

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Origin Story & Key Achievements

Founded in April 2000 as Transportation for a Livable City, the organization originally focused on advocating for San Francisco policies encouraging people to drive less and prioritize walking, biking, and mass transit.

In 2008, Livable City was chosen to lead the creation of the Sunday Streets program, an initiative by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom to create miles of car-free streets several weekends each year in neighborhoods across the City.

Over 25 years of Excellence & Latest Work

Livable City has fostered legislation, city policies, and street activations that have:

Opened up arts, culture and non-profit business possibilities by amending zoning controls on Ocean Avenue, creating a model for other economic corridors
Promoted safer, more social, and greener streets through bike lanes, traffic calming features, street corner swales, and dedicated bus lanes
Created more housing by legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and by eliminating R1 housing restrictions across the city.
Lowered costs of building new housing by removing the requirement that new buildings must be constructed with new parking.
Reduced red tape for building housing, and bringing forward exciting new plans for mixed-income housing to be built in previously NIMBY-ruled neighborhoods.
Restored native plants once again as fixtures in public spaces.
Jump started the Slow Streets and street festivals/block parties movement through Sunday Streets and other celebrations.