An Assessment of the Viva CalleSJ 2025 Open Streets Event in San Jose

Viva CalleSJ, an open-streets initiative, transforms city streets into car-free zones. The September 7, 2025, event will mark its tenth anniversary. Participants, which historically have numbered well over 100,000, engage along a six-mile route that weaves through a number of central San Jose neighborhoods. Organized to foster active transportation, support local businesses, and build community, the event has shown its ability to enhance urban life in San Jose. 

The assessment of Viva CalleSJ 2025 will employ a mixed-method approach, collecting data through surveys of participants, interviews with businesses, and observational analysis during the event. The survey will capture participants’ demographics, reasons for attending, travel modes, physical activity, spending patterns, and perceptions of the event. The survey will be available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and is expected to yield insights into participant demographics and engagement. Semi-structured interviews with business owners and city officials will explore perspectives on the event’s planning, economic effects, and areas for improvement.