ANATOMY
the Land
San Francisco
The City Grid
In the United States, San Francisco ranks 2nd in "Most Walkable" city with a score of 86, right behind New York City (89).
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Generally speaking, cities with the smallest blocks are bets known for walkability, while those with larger blocks are known as places without street life— if they are known at all. Most walkable places, especially in America, have block sizes between two hundred and four hundred feet long (i.e. Philly, Boston, Manhattan, and Portland) and San Francisco, which can exceed this in some instances. And then there are pedestrian-free zones, like Atlanta, where many blocks are between four hundred and six hundred feet.
2019
Google defines walkability as "a measure of how friendly an area is to walking…". Walkability means that you can walk from place to place comfortably and safely, while also not relying on a car. The car, in this instance, becomes an optional tool instead of a mandatory device relied on by millions.
Natural elements
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Although San Francisco is densely populated and all of its coastline meets either the Bay or Pacific Ocean, San Franciscans can still find respite in one place: its public spaces. In fact, San Francisco has more parks (220+) than any other city in the United States.
11%
of total land in SF is park or green space
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Transportation
San Francisco, like any other large metropolitan or urban city, has an extensive transportation system that includes railways/subways, rapid bus, streetcars, and the famous San Francisco Cable Car. Fortunately, San Francisco has a very efficient transportation network that works well, given the unique and distinctive physical features of the city.
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Also, due to the area being more densely compacted along with a lot of mixed-used communities allows for it to be a very pedestrian-friendly city. This means that there is the ability and opportunity to get to your destination via walking, biking, skating, scootering etc. This has been appealing to many of the younger people moving to the city, as these "millennials" seek spaces conveying these features and ideals.
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Zoning and Land Use
The Bay Area area has seen a growing amount of suburban sprawl since the beginning of the 1950s, and you can see that demonstrated in the zoning map.
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The YELLOW, a majority of the map, signifies residential housing (houses), residential mixed housing (apartments), and/or residential commercial combined housing.
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Another color on the map is PURPLE. This is the zoning that shows neighborhood commercial or neighborhood commercial transit districts.
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RED is simply commercial districts. Within these are commercial business, downtown support, retail, office, or general use.
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Mode of Transportation
Commute Time
SUmmary
In the 21st Century, San Francisco serves as a bright example of what a modern city should be in terms of its design. Climate change poses a major threat to all generations, especially Millennials and Generation Z. How a city functions in terms of its transportation system is a large factor in sustainability. While many cities, such as Atlanta, rely on and favor the automobile, San Francisco offers many methods of public transportation that do a lot in promoting sustainability. Railways, bus systems, streetcars, and cable cars are all aspects of San Francisco’s varied and modern transportation system. Further supporting sustainability, mixed use neighborhoods and a high urban density allow San Francisco to cut its carbon dioxide emissions as residents often walk or bike across town as opposed to driving.
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Regarding the layout of buildings in San Francisco, the city functions according to a grid system. The buildings are located in the inner squares of these grids, and the “in-betweens” are varying types of paths reserved for pedestrians, cars, and other modes of transportation. San Francisco has very small “blocks,” corresponding to its designation as 2nd Most Walkable city in the United States. In terms of zoning, San Francisco has seen extensive suburban sprawl which began in the early 1950s. Residential areas take up the majority of the city. Neighborhood commercial transit districts are dispersed all across the city. Commercial districts comprise most of the eastern coastline of the city.
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San Francisco further serves as a prime example of how sustainability can be incorporated in cities through its use of urban public spaces. San Francisco has 220+ parks, more than any other city in the United States; eleven percent of the total land in San Francisco holds parks or green spaces. While green areas are essential to the aesthetics of a city, they are also highly important for sustainability and mitigating global climate change. The Urban Heat Island Effect, explaining how cities tend to trap greenhouse gas emissions at high rates and thereby further contribute to global warming, can be alleviated by green spaces and planting trees through carbon sequestration. Golden Gate Park, Hilltop Park, and Land’s End are just a few examples of the many parks and green spaces in San Francisco. In addition to promoting sustainability, these places also aid in the public health of San Francisco residents. Through providing places for walking and running, public health improves. Better mental health is also improved with access to nature.