Embedded Files
A capstone project that turned into a win for the climate
Pave the Way San Jose began as a capstone project by H.B. Mok during his Climatebase Fellowship in 2024. His idea was simple and focused: make climate-friendly concrete a City-approved choice for the sidewalk repair program in San Jose, California.
What started as one person's idea grew into a collaborative effort involving local residents, contractors, concrete suppliers and the City of San Jose. Together, we demonstrated that lower-carbon concrete could be used successfully in residential sidewalk repairs.
In 2026, we reached a major milestone when San Jose included a low-carbon concrete option in its sidewalk repair contractor specifications.
Today, we continue to encourage residents and contractors to choose climate-friendly concrete, share what we've learned and explore how other cities can follow a similar path.
Milestones
2026: The City includes low-carbon concrete in its spec
San Jose adds a low-carbon concrete option to its sidewalk repair contractor specifications, achieving our original goal! ✅
Introduced local contractors to low-carbon concrete, often for the first time.
Initiate discussions with the City of Santa Cruz about its sidewalk repair program.
2025: Real-world demonstrations prove it can work
Completed San Jose's first City-approved residential low-carbon concrete sidewalk repair on Janis Way in Willow Glen.
Worked with San Jose DOT inspectors to evaluate the quality of low-carbon concrete used in sidewalk repairs.
Completed a larger low-carbon concrete sidewalk project on Glendora Court using a City-approved mix design.
2024: The idea takes shape
Developed Pave the Way San Jose as a capstone project for Climatebase Fellowship Cohort 5.
Introduced the initiative to Vice Mayor Pam Foley's office and gained its support.
Worked with San Jose DOT and Central Concrete to develop and confirm a low-carbon concrete mix design for the first pilot repair.
Contact
A Sidewalk Poem
By Heylu Wheat for Pave the Way San Jose
Great belching kilns
Render the sky a ghost
Safe sturdy paths
Leading right to your gate
Releases such carbon
But the heart, the glue
Can face change
And forge a new path
The grayness isn’t bleakness
Free the heart of carbon
Our children will thank us
Land Acknowledgment
Pave the Way San Jose advocates for innovation in building materials not for profit, but as a stewardship tool to reduce harm to soil, air, and water.
We acknowledge the traditional stewards of this land, including the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and the Tamien Nation. Inspired by their wisdom, we believe true sustainability means making decisions that serve the next seven generations. We use modern tools to honor ancient values: care, responsibility, and respect for all living things, right down to the sidewalks we walk on.
The durable low-carbon concrete we will pour onto this land will last for many future generations. Sidewalk repairs are a chance to model sustainability that future San Joseans will walk upon, building a future where sidewalks don’t cost the planet.
Google Sites
Report abuse