Help shape safety, public health for all in Berkeley

October 27-November 7: Come in person to an exhibit, share your thoughts on potential policies to shape Berkeley's development and programs.

Come visit a Pop-Up Exhibit to help define the City's approach to improving the long-term health and well-being of all people in Berkeley.

The City of Berkeley is hosting a series of Pop-Up Exhibits between October 27 and November 7, visiting various parts of the City to share these ideas with you. Some of them may be buildings, roads, or other infrastructure to build; other ideas might include community-oriented programs to fund. You get to decide what is most important to you, your family, and your community.

You'll be asked for ideas on the following:

• How can the City better prepare Berkeley residents for natural hazards - such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and wildfires?
• How can the City encourage and provide communities better access to healthier food and safe and affordable housing while reducing negative impacts like pollution?

At these events, you will explore and review presentation boards prepared by City staff. You will be asked to share your feedback using sticker dots and sticky notes - such as what resonated with you and what is missing from your standpoint. Your feedback will help update the City's General Plan, a key document used to guide the future development of Berkeley.

Come to an event to ask questions and share your thoughts. If you can't attend, review project details on our website, and sign up for project emails to get updates.

Come in person to one of our october, november public exhibits

Find us at one of these upcoming public events:

• Tuesday, October 28, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm: North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave
• Wednesday, October 29, 11:00 am-1:00 pm: Central Branch Library, 2090 Kittredge St
• Wednesday, October 29, 4:00 pm-5:30 pm: Waterside Workshops, 84 Bolivar Dr
• Monday, November 3, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St
• Tuesday, November 4, 11:00 am-1:00 pm: South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St
• Wednesday, November 5, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm: Central Branch Library, 2090 Kittredge St
• Wednesday, November 5, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm: Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave
• Thursday, November 6, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm: West Branch Library, 1125 University Ave

All exhibits are in wheelchair-accessible locations. For questions or to request an accessibility accommodation, please email [email protected].

The Waterside Workshops Exhibit on October 29 and the Ecology Center Exhibit on November 5 will be youth friendly, with activities and amenities including crafts and snacks.

For more information, please visit our Prepared, Safe, and Healthy Berkeley for All project webpage.

Your input will shape City's future decision-making

The General Plan is a comprehensive, long-range statement of policies, community priorities, and values to guide its decision-making. The General Plan serves as a blueprint for the City's direction in the future.

The City is currently updating a section called the Disaster Preparedness and Safety Element and creating a new, state-mandated section called the Environmental Justice Element.

The Disaster Preparedness and Safety Element looks at hazards or disasters that could impact Berkeley and opportunities to improve our emergency preparedness and response.

The Environment Justice Element looks to reduce barriers that impact health for all people related to pollution and poor air quality, access to safe and sanitary homes, access to healthy food, access to opportunities for physical activity, and access to effective public services and facilities.

pop-up exhibits: The latest step in community process

The in-person series of Pop-Up Exhibits is the third round of public outreach to develop two sections of the General Plan. The Pop-Up Exhibits are in partnership with local organizations who have been collaborating with the City to ensure all communities are represented in the General Plan, such as:

• Berkeley Food Network
• Center for Food, Faith and Justice
• Center for Independent Living
• East Bay Gray Panthers
• Healthy Black Families
• Multicultural Institute
• Latinos Unidos de Berkeley
• Pacific ADA Center
• Waterside Workshops

The feedback from the Pop-Up Exhibits will inform the draft policies for the General Plan Elements. City staff will present draft Elements to Boards and Commissions in early 2026. After environmental review is completed, the final versions of the Elements are expected to be presented to the City Council later in 2026.

Learn more by viewing our project web page, subscribing to this project's mailing list, or emailing [email protected]. 

Come to one of the exhibits between October 28 and November 6 and give your feedback on how to build a safer, healthier Berkeley for everyone.

Links

• Prepared, Safe, and Healthy Berkeley for All project; email list
• General Plan Pop-Up exhibits:
  • October 28, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
  • October 29, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
  • October 29, 4:00 pm-5:30 pm
  • November 3, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
  • November 4, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
  • November 5, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
  • November 5, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
  • November 6, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
• Berkeley General Plan

Keep up with City of Berkeley news via our news page, email, Bluesky, or Instagram.