San Ysidro Facts (2023)
| Attribute |
Value |
| Area |
2.839 square miles |
| Population |
16,752 |
| Population Density |
5,900 people per square mile |
Source:
City-Data San Ysidro
Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in San Ysidro
Strategic improvements in San Ysidro’s public infrastructure can serve as a powerful tool for addressing inequities and building a more inclusive, resilient, and thriving community. By aligning these improvements with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the neighborhood can benefit from a clear, globally recognized framework that ensures progress is measurable, equitable, and sustainable.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
San Ysidro, achieving Good Health and Well-Being requires creating a community environment, both physical and social, that enables residents to lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives regardless of their income, age, or background. This goal goes beyond healthcare access; it focuses on building everyday conditions that prevent illness, foster well-being, and promote equity.
- Safe, Walkable Streets - Prioritizing pedestrian safety, well-marked crosswalks, adequate lighting, and smooth sidewalks to encourage daily physical activity.
- Accessible Parks and Green Spaces - Expanding and maintaining shaded, nearby parks with seating, playgrounds, and community event spaces.
- Enhanced Waste Management and Sanitation - Regular waste collection, more bins, and anti-dumping enforcement for a cleaner, healthier environment.
- Reliable and Affordable Public Transportation - Connecting residents to healthcare, fresh food, pharmacies, and essential services.
Goal 4: Quality Education
Ensuring Quality Education in San Ysidro means providing every child, youth, and adult with equitable access to learning opportunities. Education is a pathway to success and a key tool for breaking cycles of poverty. This requires investment in academic resources and the environments that support learning.
- Modernized Public School Facilities - Updated classrooms, labs, and safe play areas to support diverse learning.
- Safe Routes to School - Infrastructure that ensures children can walk or bike to school safely.
- Expanded After-School and Enrichment Programs - Tutoring, arts, sports, and STEM activities to close achievement gaps.
- Community Learning Centers and Public Libraries - Spaces offering internet access, tutoring, and adult education classes.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
For San Ysidro to achieve lasting economic vitality, residents must have access to stable, well-paying jobs and clear pathways for skill development. Growth must be inclusive, culturally responsive, and environmentally sustainable.
- Upgrading Transportation Infrastructure - Reliable transit connecting residents to regional job centers.
- Supporting Local Businesses - Grants, loans, and community events to boost local entrepreneurs.
- Job Training and Workforce Development - Bilingual programs for in-demand industries like healthcare and technology.
- Encouraging Sustainable Industries and Green Jobs - Careers that strengthen environmental resilience.
Ensuring No One Is Left Behind
Equity must be the guiding principle behind every economic and infrastructure investment in San Ysidro. This means ensuring that the community’s most vulnerable populations are included in planning and have access to the benefits of growth and development.
- Inclusive Decision-Making - Public forums, multilingual outreach, and participatory budgeting.
- Prioritizing the Underserved - Focus resources on those facing high unemployment, language barriers, and poor infrastructure.
- Data-Driven Accountability - Track progress with transparent indicators and adjust strategies as needed.
Swikriti Joshi
San Diego State University - Graduate Student
Big Data Analytics 603 - Smart Cities and Sustainability
Email: sjoshi2639@sdsu.edu
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/swikritijoshi
Why San Ysidro
San Ysidro, a border community located at the southern edge of San Diego along the U.S.-Mexico border, is home to a vibrant and culturally rich population, with the majority of residents identifying as Hispanic. Despite its strong sense of community, San Ysidro continues to face systemic barriers that affect daily life and limit opportunities for residents.
Struggles Revealed Through Analysis
Families encounter challenges such as unreliable and insufficient public transportation that makes it difficult to access schools, jobs, and parks. Many Spanish-only speakers face limited employment prospects due to language barriers, which further reinforces economic instability. Additionally, inadequate bus stop infrastructure, including a lack of shelters, benches, and safe pedestrian connections, creates unsafe and uncomfortable conditions for transit riders, many of whom rely heavily on public transportation as their primary means of mobility.
Ensuring No One is Left Behind
This project seeks to not only highlight these inequities but also raise awareness among policymakers, planners, and the wider public about the urgent need for investment in San Ysidro’s infrastructure and services. By centering the voices of local residents and showcasing their lived experiences, the initiative aims to generate demand for change, attract new partnerships, and build momentum for equitable, community-driven improvements that strengthen both quality of life and long-term sustainability in the region.
