In revitalizing America’s cities, there are some things more important than great buildings.
Urban authority Fred Kent argues that public spaces are key. Gathering places for people to hear a string quartet, watch a dance routine or a chess match, or simply meet and enjoy themselves, all give life to a city. His idea is gaining traction in San Diego.
The San Diego Tourism Authority is promoting “Sweet Spots for San Diego Street Art,” urging tourists to see the murals and buildings the city is most proud of including Arts District Liberty Station, the Chicano Park murals and the Sea Walls Project at 38th Street and 4th Avenue where 18 murals designed to raise environmental issues have been painted.
The North Park community has organized a 90-minute walking tour through the neighborhood, where guides explain the stories and techniques behind dynamic street art and graffiti. Areas like Balboa Park, Barrio Logan, and Oceanside, all state-designated hubs, openly invite visitors to explore their arts and culture experiences.
The Metropolitan Transit System offers free rides to ArtWalk and integrates art into its transit system. Visitors and residents are also encouraged to use online resources like Vanguard Culture to learn more about other opportunities in San Diego.
But obviously San Diego can and should do much more. And the City Council says it will.
On April 22, 2025, the council adopted a broad citywide plan that integrates artwork and creative elements into public spaces such as sidewalks, streets and plazas. The intent of the city’s Art in the Right of Way program is to foster engagement and connectivity, and promote cultural expression in the public
The council believes that “art can be integrated into right-of-way infrastructure in various of forms, including street furnishings, lighting, performances, temporary installations, wayfinding and paving materials,” but not unusually, leaves it to the various departments to “support the implementation of the city’s Public Art Master Plan.”
To date, only a handful of projects are in progress, although a $12.2 million investment in local arts and culture in the current fiscal year was provided to nonprofit organizations for film screenings, exhibitions, performances, festivals, parades and other community events. Among the projects:
Adams Avenue Business Association — $26,945 for the Adams Avenue Street Fair, a major free music and street festival Asian Culture and Media Alliance — $8,800 for the Asian & Pacific Cultural Festival Casa Familiar –$40,374 for multi-event arts and culture programming in San Ysidro Centro Cultural de la Raza — $7,641 for the Día de los Muertos procession and community event San Diego International Fringe Festival –$118,628 for this multi-disciplinary arts festival San Diego LGBT Pride — $204,091 for the annual Pride celebration and year-round arts programming San Diego Film Foundation — $152,620 for the San Diego International Film Festival Ocean Beach Merchant’s Association — $24,851 for the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off North Park Organization of Businesses — $25,296 for the North Park Music FestivalThere hasn’t yet been a large roll out of city-directed murals, artistic paving, artistic bike lanes, aesthetic street lighting art, or integrated wayfinding art along sidewalks. But it’s in the works.
San Diego is clearly in the lead in this area and needs to regularly assess how well it’s doing. The city’s vibrancy depends upon it.
John M. Eger is a professor emeritus in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. He previously served as telecommunications advisor to President Gerald R. Ford, legal assistant to FCC Chairman Dean Burch, and senior vice president of CBS.
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