Publication Date

Fall 2000

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Urban Planning (MUP)

Department

Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract

In many cities that have experienced fast growth, the aging of commercial districts has been an issue. As the city has sprawled, suburban shopping centers have been in more demand than aging inner-city commercial districts. As a result, they have been blighted and declined, and have become a target for redevelopment and revitalization.

The City of San Jose is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. Since the 1960’s, San Jose has shifted from a farming community to the center of Silicon Valley (San Jose 1994a, 1). San Jose is now the largest city in Santa Clara County with a population of 909,100 (http://www.ci.sanjose . ca.us/planning/sjplan). San Jose has several aged and blighted commercial districts as other growing cities do.

The East Santa Clara Business District is one such aging commercial districts located along East Santa Clara Street, a west-east thoroughfare across downtown San Jose. Both the north and south sides along East Santa Clara Street have mainly commercial uses such as restaurants and retail stores. It has served as a commercial strip for years. This street has been blighted and deteriorated as have other urban areas since the emergence of suburban shopping centers. Programs and projects have been established to revitalize this commercial district. However, there are still many issues that need to be addressed.

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