Instagram Logo Facebook Logo Linkedin Logo Twitter Logo
Circulate Planning & Policy logo

Circulator Newsletter

Circulator - 07/17/2026

Circulator - 07/17/2026

Nominations Open for the 2026 Momentum Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Momentum Awards, Circulate Planning & Policy’s annual recognition of the people and projects advancing safe streets, public transit and land use.

This year introduces new award categories and updated criteria that better reflect the full range of work shaping our region’s future. From housing innovation to transit-oriented development and public sector leadership, the 2026 awards elevate the work driving real change on the ground.

2026 categories include:

  • Safe Streets Award
  • Public Transit Award
  • Planning Award
  • Transit Oriented Development Award
  • Housing Innovation Award
  • Advocate Award
  • Public Servant Award

Nominations are due by 5:00 PM on July 31, 2026. Self-nominations and client project nominations are welcome.

Submit a nomination!

Read our New Nature in Motion Report!

Urban greening and traffic calming are essential strategies for creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities. Urban greening integrates trees, landscaping, green infrastructure, and other nature-based solutions to improve air quality, reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, and enhance biodiversity. Traffic calming uses roadway design features to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. Together, these approaches create safer, more sustainable mobility.

This Urban Greening and Traffic Calming Toolkit provides local agencies, organizations, and community members with practical strategies for implementing urban greening and traffic calming throughout San Diego County. It highlights treatments such as landscaped medians, landscaped roundabouts, street trees, planter-protected bike lanes, parklets, green walls, vertical gardens, and rain gardens. By integrating these strategies, communities can improve public safety and environmental resilience to enhance quality of life while advancing towards urban development that is equitable and climate-resilient.

read the full report!

Transit Fares Set to Increase

Today, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) voted to move forward with raising transit fares.

Starting October 1, 2027, the cost to ride the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) systems will increase. A standard one-way trip on the MTS system will cost $3 and a monthly pass will cost $85. Riders eligible for Senior, Disabled, Medicare, and Youth discounted fares will pay $28 for a monthly pass. The modifications maintain long-standing fare affordability measures that Circulate has advocated for, like free transfers and fare capping.

Fares are set to increase one additional time on October 1, 2027. While necessary, these fare increases are only a temporary solution. MTS and NCTD will need to come up will additional revenue streams to address long-term deficits. As they seek long-term solutions, MTS and NCTD must identify funding measures that do not further burden riders, like ballot measures, seeking state operations funding, and creative advertising strategies.

2026 California Infill Summit: Best Practices and Breakthrough Opportunities

Can we actually get things built in California? The Council of Infill Builders is convening the people working to make sure the answer is YES.

The California Infill Summit will feature city leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor and mayoral candidate Karen Bass (invited), Los Angeles City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and Santa Monica City Manager Oliver Chi, along Circulate’s own CEO and General Counsel Colin Parent.

Speakers and participants will include builders, contractors, lawyers, lenders, utilities, elected officials, planners, community organizations, sustainability professionals, and students for a practical conversation about what it takes to make infill projects pencil, get permitted, get powered up, open their doors, and avoid death by a thousand cuts along the way.

Come be part of the conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and what changes we need. California’s housing, economic development and climate goals – not to mention the future of our industry – hang in the balance.

Learn More & register Here!

Circulate CEO Published in San Francisco Chronicle

Last weekend, the San Francisco Chronicle published an op-ed from Circulate’s CEO and General Counsel Colin Parent.

The piece highlighted our report Win-Win Bonus, which measures the impacts of statewide reforms to Bonus Law, sponsored by Circulate Planning & Policy. Those reforms first took effect in 2021, and in the four years following, Bonus Law has been used to approve more than 140,000 new homes across California.

By the numbers, the recent amendments to Bonus Law have created more housing approvals than any other law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to date.

The piece also raises the issue that San Francisco’s Family Zoning Plan is designed to undermine the use of this important and successful housing policy. The City of Los Angeles is also being sued for similar issues.

Circulate has been a champion of Bonus Law across the state, and we are proud to help its implementation both throughout the San Diego region, and beyond.

Read the op-ed here!

Bicycle Film Festival returns to San Diego on July 25

It’s Bicycle Film Festival’s 26th year celebrating bicycles through art, film, and music. For 26 years, the BFF has reached an audience of one million people in over 100 cities worldwide.

Bicycle Film Festival is coming back to San Diego at the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art (1649 El Prado) on July 25th, 2026.

BFF San Diego presents three international short film programs that appeal to film connoisseurs, avid cyclists, and everyone in between. Curated documentaries, narratives, animations, award-winning directors, and emerging talents all share equal billing.


3:00pm CINEMATIC SHORTS
A story driven program with diverse, cinematic fi lmmaking styles: documentaries, narrative, animation, and more.

5:00pm ADVENTURE SHORTS
For lovers of mountain biking, gravel, bike packing, and cycling in general. This program takes you on a journey around the world.

8:00pm URBAN BIKE SHORTS
Urban Bike Shorts capture the spirit of street, youth, fi xed gear, bmx, and messenger cultures from passionate cyclists in cities around the world.

Full Festival Passes $35, Individual Programs $22

Purchase your tickets here!

Happy Work Anniversary Spotlight: Cierra Johnson

It’s a celebration! Today we Congratulate Cierra Johnson on her 3rd year Work Anniversary with Circulate!

As is our tradition, we interviewed Cierra so our supporters and members can see what she’s been up to.

Read her spotlight here!

Promotion Spotlight: Leslie Aparicio

Please join us in congratulating Leslie Aparicio for being promoted from Assistant Planner to Associate Planner!

She wears many hats and is a great asset to our team. We appreciate her dedication and hard work. Congratulations, Leslie!

We asked Leslie a couple of questions regarding her new role.

Check out her responses!

Board & Staff Retreat: Setting Our Course for the Year Ahead

Last week, Circulate’s Board and Staff came together for our annual retreat to celebrate our wins, tackle big ideas, and chart the road ahead.

The day was filled with energy, collaboration, and plenty of inspiration. A highlight of the day was our special lunchtime guest, Carlsbad’s Mayor Pro Tem Priya Baht Patel and chair of NCTD Board and a special tour of North City Development by Sea Breeze CEO Gary Levitt.

MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHAPING our work
Close Button
Close Button