40 for 40: SoMa Community Planning - 2009
Friday, August 17, 2012 at 9:16AM 
Many Americans started off 2009 witness to one of the most profound moments in our nation’s history--the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African-American president of the US. It was an event that many in communities of color had dreamed of but thought would never happen in their lifetimes. Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger made a perfect emergency landing of US Airways flight 1549 into NYC's frozen Hudson River, saving the lives of all aboard. 2009 was the year the federal government required all analog broadcast TV signals be switched to digital, the top money-making movie of all time was James Cameron's "Avatar," grossing over $2.7 billion. Dominating the top 100 Billboard music charts in August was Lady Gaga’s “The Fame.”
AND’s Community Planning program has provided underserved communities with the tools, technology and expertise to become effective players in the shaping of equitable, healthy and sustainable neighborhoods since 2003. From linguistically and culturally accessible trainings in urban planning, design, GIS mapping and educational visualization to progressive policy advocacy, we’ve empowered hundreds of thousands of low-income residents to have a voice in the future of their own neighborhoods.
As a SoMa-based nonprofit, AND has a long and proud history of collaboration with SoMa organizations including SOMCAN, Filipino American Development Foundation, Bindlestiff Studio, Senior Action Network, Western SoMa Task Force and Urban Solutions; In 2009, with community partners, AND provided planning and policy support on issues ranging from rezoning to impacts of Rincon Hill development, creation of the SoMa Community Stabilization Fund,Youth & Family Zone and Filipino social heritage district. Our efforts have engendered a visionary blueprint for community growth based on cultural strengths and assets. In fighting displacement and gentrification, AND’s Community Planning addresses the needs of SoMa residents for affordable housing, jobs, pedestrian safety, open space, urban art, community-serving businesses, economic development, improvements in civic dialogue and the public realm.
