Regional Planning in the 1970s, Renovation, Conservation, and Adaptability: Phil Pryde

The Finest City

This week we welcome Phil Pryde, San Diego State University Professor and self-proclaimed “bird guy.” Phil talks with us about regional planning in the 1970s and his tenure on C-3’s board, which coincided with the release of Temporary Paradise. Phil reflects on the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, how attitudes towards conservation and growth management have evolved, and the fight against the Mission Valley Flood channel. Phil also speaks to the climate crisis and the delicate balancing act between developing housing and mitigating fire danger in San Diego.

Timestamps:

[2:26] Phil talks about the sunny blue skies that led him to San Diego 51 years ago, and why he has enjoyed every day since.

[3:47] Phil has been all over the Soviet Union and jokingly wonders if he’s been to even more places than Putin.

[4:00] Where did Phil’s interest in environmental issues and policy originate? How did he get involved in conversation groups in San Diego and more specifically, become interested in birds?

[5:00] What was the national attitude towards environmental conservation during Phil’s education and early career leading into the 1970s?

[9:15] Phil talks about his love of how unique San Diego is in all kinds of ways with its natural environment.

[10:14] Phil learned about environmental problems in San Diego within six months of arriving here, and his involvement with the Mission Valley Flood Channel.

[20:08] What were some of the other major battles of the 1970s that Phil can recall?

[21:22] Phil discusses some of the policies in place and addresses environmental conservation both in San Diego and Mexico.

[26:14] Phil describes growth management and how it relates to environmental issues and policy.

[33:43] Why is Phil very concerned about the fire problems of San Diego County? What needs to be done?

[38:08] How was C-3 involved in Temporary Paradise from when Phil came on the C-3 board in 1971? How would Phil describe C-3’s influence on the practice of urban planning in San Diego?

[46:18] Birds are adapting to climate change in ways they never had before, and according to Phil, it’s all about renovation, conservation, and adaptability.

[50:33] While San Diego’s motto was once “we don’t want to become like Los Angeles,” Phil agrees that America’s Finest City is much better.

[51:12] As someone who has spent much of their career in academia, how would Phil explain the concept of growth management and adaptation to the new generation? What are the biggest challenges that the next generation faces in San Diego specifically?

[59:12] The birds that will survive climate change are the ones that are most adaptable, and the people that also will survive are the ones also most adaptable.

[1:01:02] Phil reminds us that human and environmental issues are tied together, not separate.

About C-3

In its 60 years of existence, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) has brought together local thought leaders from planning, design, policy, academia, community development, and more to address our region’s distinctive and pressing land use challenges. In founding C-3 almost 60 years ago, architect Lloyd Ruocco’s vision was to bring together our region’s most creative minds from the arts, sciences, academia, and government to share ideas, learn new perspectives, and build fellowship around the idea of creating livable communities.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

Phil Pryde

San Diego Sierra Club

San Diego River Improvement Project

National Environmental Policy Act

California Environmental Quality Act