The Finest City Citizens Coordinate for Century 3

In this episode, Kate sat down with our very own Jen Whitelaw, PR professional and former C-3 President. Jen first shares her career path from English studies to public relations and urban planning. She discusses a few of her favorite tools for reaching the public about important topics like density and sustainability through her work with organizations like C-3. Jen highlights some successful strategies for engaging diverse audiences, emphasizing the power of the public to influence how our city gets shaped. She explains why it’s so important to engage the public and younger generations in advocacy work around land use issues and shaping San Diego’s future, and discusses two documentary films that brought important conversations to the community.
 
Timestamps:
[2:33] How Jen’s formative years living on Del Mar Mesa shaped her appreciation for conservation.
[3:13] A glimpse at Jen’s career history and the influence that Jen’s mom’s architectural career had on her own vision.
[4:08] Jen’s experience working at the San Diego Film Commission.
[5:47] How Jen’s interest in marketing and public relations originated.
[7:24] Why Jen expanded her career path to urban planning and land planning, and the impact of interpreting and facilitating communication between the industry and the media.
[9:23] A few of Jen’s favorite tools to engage the public and community groups on land use issues.
[11:41] The power of the public when it comes to advocacy.
[14:31] How social media can facilitate conversation and action between the public and policymakers.
[15:31] The City of Villages plan.
[18:38] Was there a failure within San Diego to get the public on board?
[20:26] The impetus for making “Designing for the Future” and how they distributed the film.
[24:26] “San Diego Canyonlands”.
[27:41] The importance of developing responsibly while keeping the San Diego charm.
[29:03] Synthesizing the works for a modern audience.
[30:05] How Jen discovered and became involved with C-3.
[31:05] Who should C-3 be engaging in advocacy work?
[33:27] Overcoming the obstacles and challenges of working with more diverse audiences.
[35:11] The rise of public common spaces.
[36:14] C-3’s influence on the practice of urban planning and development in San Diego.
[38:22] Adapting C-3’s structure and programming to meet modern challenges.
 
About C-3
 
Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.
 
Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:
C3sandiego.org
Jen Whitelaw LinkedIn
 
Quotes:
“To be able to communicate effectively through writing, I can’t emphasize it enough, for someone who wants to go into that field (PR), it’s really, really important.” — Jen [7:09]
“I think that curiosity has been a theme throughout my life. I really enjoy learning about things.”  — Jen [8:46]
“If you want to accomplish something, first, you need to make sure that people understand the subject.” — Jen [11:55]
“Everyone wants to be heard. When people have a voice in something and feel like they’re being heard and helping to shape something, they are almost inherently on board.” — Jen [12:45]
“Fear is such a powerful motivator and unfortunately, there’s not a lot of innovation that usually comes out of fear, it’s more of a wall.”

This episode features Simon Andrews, neighborhood branding professional and former C-3 board member. Simon shares his personal journey from Detroit to San Diego in the 1960s and discusses his career helping to shape the identity of neighborhoods through signage and design. Simon also offers his insight into downtown redevelopment and its impact, the rise of sustainable community planning since the early 2000s, and his involvement over many years with civic groups such as C-3. He and Jennifer also talk about how community planning groups can help empower local voices and reincorporate the creative class into our development and design.
 
Timestamps:
[2:20] How Simon made his way to San Diego.
[7:29] Back in the pandemic, people found creative ways to connect and support each other even from a distance, including chalk art and teddy bears in windows.
[8:18] Downtown San Diego redevelopment, anchored by Horton Plaza, Convention Center, and the ballpark.
[9:09] Redevelopment’s impact on affordable housing and community identity.
[10:52] Addressing some of the social tensions around redevelopment.
[12:00] The need for a dynamic balance between power, money, and community well-being.
[14:42] The growing trend of building sustainable communities.
[18:38] San Diego’s unique way of building up communities, compared to other municipalities.
[22:48] Creating a neighborhood identity through signage and design.
[24:16] Building consensus between community members and stakeholders.
[26:57] The iconic branding of El Cajon Blvd.
[33:21] Community activism and involvement in San Diego.
[35:22] How Simon discovered C-3 and the benefits he has gained from being involved.
[40:31] How C-3 can help us reincorporate the creative class back into our work and design plans.
[42:17] How community planning groups have evolved, and how C-3 can help these groups meet the challenges of the modern era.
[49:09] Using the Axios model as inspiration for future writing pieces.
 
About C-3
 
Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.
 
Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:
C3sandiego.org
Simon Andrews LinkedIn
 
Quotes:
“Some people are critical of redevelopment as a process, but for downtown San Diego at the time, it seemed to be really beneficial to clear the way for redevelopment to happen.” — Simon [9:05]
“A lot of people would like to see a balance between wealth and their well-being; that level of physical well-being with dignity for individuals as well as the communities.” — Simon [13:54]
“Between marketing tricks and leadership, things get adopted. It makes life fun.” — Simon [33:30]
“If this were a pitch for joining C-3 or especially the board, I would say don’t hesitate. There’s so much to be learned, and it’s so valuable. Every single person that I interacted with on those boards, it’s a really great gift.” — Simon [37:48]
“The visual element works well with the planning element together. They work together.” — Simon [40:38]
“It's a good thing for the city to have community planning groups, but they should have better backup and better resources available. They could make the community of San Diego that much stronger.” — Simon [44:16]
“I certainly hope that C-3 continues and endures because there is no

This episode features Paula Stigler Granados, Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at San Diego State University. Paula first discusses environmental health impacts along the San Diego-Tijuana border region and insights from her recent white paper on the public health crisis caused by Tijuana River contamination. She then explores the challenges of managing growth while addressing aging infrastructure and transborder environmental issues, highlighting the need to better communicate risk and learn from past environmental trauma.
 
Timestamps:
[2:32] Paula’s thoughts on the quote from Temporary Paradise, “This is a single natural region, and a connected social landscape as well, despite the barrier.”
[4:22] Paula’s hopes for the white paper she co-wrote about the Tijuana River being a public health crisis.
[6:12] The pathogens and toxic chemicals our border communities are exposed to from the raw sewage and runoff in the Tijuana River.
[9:11] How those chemicals and toxicity impact our community around the San Diego / Baja border.
[13:25] The importance of communicating better the risk and impact of this public health crisis.
[14:02] Paula’s interest in community-based participatory research.
[18:09] The wealth of information and education now for future generations.
[18:28] The role climate change has on vector-borne diseases such as Chagas disease.
[22:09] The opportunity for the World Design Capital to highlight the intersection of design and environmental stewardship in the San Diego / Tijuana region.
[25:38] Paula highlights the importance of honoring the community members in Imperial Beach and repairing and reducing environmental trauma in the future.
[27:21] The environmental issues in Imperial Beach and surrounding the Border call for all voices to speak up, not just local or national ones.
 
About C-3
 
Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.
 
Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:
C3sandiego.org
Paula Stigler Granados SDSU
Paula Stigler Granados LinkedIn
 
Quotes:
“I’ve always felt this fluidness between Tijuana and San Diego. It’s a region a lot of us are really connected to and a beautiful environment that we share here.” — Paula [3:08]
“I think communicating risk is incredibly important.” — Paula [12:50]
“I feel like this is an opportunity to talk about how we can protect our environment, our health, human and public health, as well as design infrastructure that makes it friendlier and a more walkable and healthy environment.” — Paula [23:24]
“I think it's important to really acknowledge how important it is to resolve this issue and to hear the voices of the people living with this on a daily basis.” — Paula [26:24]
“Infrastructure will always fail. So what are things that we can put into place that would at least help minimize the amount of failure that will happen?” — Paula [26:43]
“I believe that the community’s voices are just as important as the local leaders' voices, and they're just as important as anybody else's voice. It’s going to take all of us.” — Paula [27:41]

This episode features Nico Calavita, Professor Emeritus of City Planning at San Diego State University. 
He shares his insightful perspective on the past, present, and future of urban planning and creating affordable and inclusive housing. Nico first shares his background growing up in Italy and his journey to San Diego. He goes into detail on the history of growth management and the city’s Housing Trust Fund and inclusionary housing policy. Nico and Kate reflect on San Diego’s successes in passing the measures, along with the challenges to balance new housing growth with neighborhood quality of life.
 
Timestamps:
[2:00] Nico’s background in Italy and what brought him to San Diego.
[5:15] Nico’s journey to urban planning and becoming an advocate for affordable housing.
[6:23] His thesis on city and regional planning.
[8:19] Growth management in the 1970s.
[10:34] The five tiers within the Tier Project.
[15:30] How C-3 was part of the coalition that fought to maintain the integrity of the future urbanized areas.
[16:27] The citizens revolt from 1985 to 1988.
[24:26] A few of the basic contradictions of urban planning in San Diego.
[33:57] The Housing Trust Fund.
[1:00:40] Why state funding for affordable housing has decreased considerably over the last 10 years.
[1:19:32] How Nico’s relationship with C-3 began and evolved over the years.
[1:22:25] The challenge in finding a balance between pushing for growth and pushing for housing, while maintaining the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
[1:24:40] How C-3 can provide assistance to the next generation.
 
About C-3
 
Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.
 
Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:
C3sandiego.org
Nico Calavita LinkedIn
Nico Calavita SDSU
 
Quotes:
“I see myself as an advocate for especially the people who have few if any choices.” — Nico [7:34]

Jen welcomes Imperial Beach Mayor, Paloma Aguirre. Mayor Aguirre earned a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD and spent 10 years working for Wildcoast. She talks about her advocacy in the fight against sewage pollution and towards building a better present and future for Imperial Beach residents. Mayor Aguirre talks about the current environmental issues facing the city and the efforts to upgrade wastewater treatment plants. She also highlights the city’s priorities around housing, homelessness, and supporting local businesses.
 
Timestamps:
[2:08] Mayor Aguirre joins the show and shares her career journey to becoming the Mayor of Imperial Beach.
[2:19] Mayor Aguirre is the first Latina Mayor of Imperial Beach and the first Latina on the council.
[3:04] The sewage crisis in Imperial Beach.
[4:06] Why it’s important for the replacement of the failing Punta Bandera treatment plant for not only Northern Baja but also for Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Coronado, and surrounding areas.
[7:47] Finding the plant is in a severe state of disrepair and needing to invest even more than the original $300 million into the infrastructure.
[8:53] The collaborative and collective effort to upgrade the treatment plants.
[11:46] Mayor Aguirre’s background in Mexico helps her understand the cultural nuances that exist when working with our counterparts in Mexico.
[13:48] What will happen when treatment plants are upgraded and Imperial Beach enjoys tourism opportunities, but also the pressure of gentrification?
[16:16] Working to help the unsheltered population.
[17:00] The double-edged sword of speaking about Imperial Beach’s sewage crisis.
[17:55] The need to uplift local businesses.
[20:58] Mayor Aguirre looks forward to showing the beauty and diversity of Imperial Beach during the World Design Capital.
[22:58] If you haven’t been to Imperial Beach in a while, check out the new breweries and beautiful bike paths!
 
About C-3
 
Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.
 
Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:
C3sandiego.org
Paloma Aguirre
 
Quotes:
“We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that not just the community of Imperial Beach, but the entire South San Diego community has what everybody else has in this state and nation and takes for granted. That is clean air, clean water, and a clean environment.” — Mayor Aguirre [10:46]
“Having been raised during my formative years in Mexico, I understand the cultural nuances when working with our counterparts in Mexico.” — Mayor Aguirre [11:04]
“I think it’s incredibly important to make sure that we attract new businesses, new developers, new investments, but also that we keep people housed here in Imperial Beach.” — Mayor Aguirre [14:23]
“We need to make sure that we uplift our local mom-and-pop shops and small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.” — Mayor Aguirre [17:55]
“We are such a unique city. We are culturally diverse and sorry to the rest of the cities, but one of the most beautiful regions rich in natural resources.” — Mayor Aguirre [20:58]
“IB is awesome.” — Mayor Aguirre [22:37]

This episode focuses on the importance of the cross-border relationship with guest Hector Vanegas, SANDAG’s Borders Program Manager. Hector first outlines SANDAG’s role in coordinating cross-border transportation projects and traces his career path working in binational affairs from the Mexican Consulate to his current position at SANDAG. Hector emphasizes the economic interdependence between San Diego and Baja, and how we can increase civic participation in regional planning through initiatives like the Border Connectivity Project and the World Design Capital designation. At the end of the episode, Hector discusses how we can help reshape perceptions of the US-Mexico cross-border regions and why we need to have a sense of pride and reverence for our shared history.
 
Timestamps:
[2:49] Hector talks about his academic formation and career path before SANDAG, including work as an attorney in Mexico, working at the Mexican Consulate in San Diego, and studying human rights at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.
[4:17] What led Hector to the border region?
[6:06] How does SANDAG geographically define the San Diego/Tijuana region, and why?
[6:44] SANDAG’s work addresses many issues beyond the San Diego/Tijuana border.
[9:35] Hector discusses the IRP, Interregional Partnership.
[10:53] The complexity of working with the borders and the need for cooperation across multiple agencies.
[11:02] How SANDAG works to foster collaboration.
[13:14] How important our relationship with Northern Baja is to maintaining California’s large economy.
[15:18] Mexico is now going to be the largest trading partner of the United States, surpassing China, and representing almost 16% of our international trade.
[15:38] The importance of remembering the shared history between Mexico and San Diego.
[17:18] A few takeaways from the Impacts of Border Delays at California, Baja California Land Ports of Entry study.
[22:28] As SANDAG looks for new leadership, Hector shares his thoughts on how the agency may increase its impact on the U.S./Mexico border region.
[27:24] SANDAG created the borders committee at a policy level as one of the four Policy Advisory Committees, of which there are now six.
[28:18] The opportunities to increase civic engagement and visionary dialogue in the World Design Capital and the Advancing Border Connectivity Project.
[35:17] San Diego was recognized as an inspirational model of regional collaboration by the UN. 
 
About C-3
 
Even before the California Coastal Commission or Environmental Protection Agency existed, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) was the environmental conscience of San Diego. Since that time, in part due to C-3’s leadership in education, advocacy, and empowerment, a plethora of organizations have developed throughout San Diego County. These organizations specifically focus on promoting progressive values in architecture, urban design, land-use governance, natural resource management, sustainable economic development, climate change resilience, and social justice. As the field of allies has grown, C-3’s role has evolved to provide a platform that promotes creating civic community.
 
Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:
C3sandiego.org
SANDAG
Hector Vanegas LinkedIn