I'm also from northern Europe, and the average housing standard here is absolutely crap compared to where I'm from. For fun, try browsing apartments here on cra

I'm also from northern Europe, and the average housing standard here is absolutely crap compared to where I'm from. For fun, try browsing apartments here on craigslist and you'll get to see the interiors as well. And when you then look at the prices of these things, it all seems like a cruel joke. If you just visited the conference you probably didn't see Mission Bay, but they are doing the same here as in most other coastal cities, i.e. repurposing old harbour industrial zones and building large apartment buildings, it's just way, way too little, too late. But I agree with you that there are so many city blocks that currently house a bunch of poorly maintained two-story buildings that should just be demolished and replaced with a single modern, tall residential building. There is nothing of value to preserve there.