I’ve loved SPUR ever since I moved to San Francisco, but this SF Examiner interview with Gabriel Metcalf, its Executive Director, had me floored. The narrative is not particularly fascinating but Metcalf is spot on when it comes to density, and not just as an abstract idea, but adding density here, in this very place (trying to convey this with a Rachel Maddow grin). You can see in the comments to the original article that this is not so popular.
One of the biggest issues for Metcalf is the lack of development in The City, which he said is the root of most problems. The City would be much more affordable if housing at all price levels was allowed to proceed without San Francisco’s strict zoning codes, he said.
Metcalf says making it affordable for suburban home dwellers to move to The City will solve some social and environmental problems, a philosophy that has been reinforced after having children.
[...]
San Francisco also needs to focus on fighting climate change. We can accomplish that by channeling all Bay Area growth in San Francisco and by making public transportation so appealing and enticing that it encourages people to leave their cars at home.
[...]
The buildings of The City, the infrastructure of a city, changes over time. Cities are not static unless you want to make it a museum piece.
Filed under: Big Picture
