Elements of Urbanism: San Francisco

[Metro Jacksonville]

Elements of Urbanism: San Francisco



Metro Jacksonville takes a trip to the west coast to explore San Francisco, CA.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-elements-of-urbanism-san-francisco

[thelakelander]

Great article and photographs.  Those hills are insane.  How many people out there believe that San Francisco and Jacksonville are really the "same size."

[vicupstate]

I recently visited SF for the first time.  It is definitely one of America's most unique cities.  Coit Tower is a must-see, as it gives a 360 view of the entire city.

Great pics and article.     

[David]

Yeah speaking of, how about including the square milage of city proper on the elements of urbanism articles?

ie:

Jacksonville 885 sq miles
San Francisco 231 sq miles.

I know the population density is already included, but it puts Jax in perspective when compared to other cities.

[David]

and yes, very cool article. I'm jealous! SF is my next destination on the west coast.

[thelakelander]

Yeah speaking of, how about including the square milage of city proper on the elements of urbanism articles?

Good suggestion.  That is something we can add.

[Overstreet]

They don't seem to worrry about the fault lines crossing the city.  Modern buildings can be improved to withstand earthquake.

But the old masonry buildings in the Marina district are just waiting for another quake to colaspe. Marina district was built on fill that turns "plastic" during a quake and does not support the shallow footings the unreinforced brick buildings were built with.

[Tripoli1711]

San Francisco is one of my favorite places on Earth.  Amazing city that is really what I think about when I think of an urban area.  Atlanta might be "bigger" but it cannot shake a stick at San Francisco in terms of urban feel.  Love San Francisco.

Oh yeah.. when were those photos taken?  I have probably spent 7 or 8 days in San Francisco and I have never seen the weather that beautiful.  I asked locals when the weather actually got beautiful like you see on TV.. they told me it was a secret they keep from the tourists.

[Deuce]

Truly spectacular city! I've been several times as my sis used to live in Mill Valley.

[Ocklawaha]

Once upon a time, I floated from my perch in Yosemite and woke up in San Francisco... I have no recall of how the hell I got there. Those were the days, long haired, maggot infested, leaping gnome. Not that I ever did drugs, but I've read about it, seen the video... You understand.

OCKLAWAHA

[heights unknown]

Because of the population equity between "SanFran" and "Jax," San Francisco is where Jax should be in appearance, amenities, even population of the metro/MSA.  The convention Center is huge and is probably a little large for Jax, but we should have a much larger convention center.  SF is on a peninsula and is basically built out but the density is very compact relative to buildings, people, houses, etc., and Jax can only dream of being that way.  Looking at downtown pics, notice all of the people on the very wide sidewalks; I'll lay a bet that it is that way on weekends as well.  Great pics.  Wouldn't want to live there though.

I'll take Jax over SF any day of the week, month or year!

Heights Unknown

[lindab]

The few times I have visited, I couldn't help notice what a diverse community SF is. What is the ethnic make-up of SF?

[BridgeTroll]

San Fran is one of my favorite places on earth... I have spent alot of time there and still have not seen every thing I would like...

I would suggest however that the

Common Downtown Albatross:

Would be homelessness and vagrancy... The panhandlers in SFO can be quite aggressive.

[BridgeTroll]

I dont disagree... San Franciscans handle the problem well.  Tourists not accustomed to the aggressiveness of panhandlers can be easily intimidated...  It could easliy be described as a Common downtown albatross.

[thelakelander]

You're right.  That is a common downtown albatross.