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Build in a city where you're required to post notice any time you cut down a tree on your own property. That's because you're talking about one of the most bea
by kafkaesq 10y ago
Build in a city where you're required to post notice any time you cut down a tree on your own property.
That's because you're talking about one of the most beautiful cities in the world (despite the attempts of some people to decry otherwise) and, as expressed through the will of its electorate, intends to stay that way. It's also a city that's keenly aware of ecosystem dynamics and environmental issues generally, and the effect of removing that removing certain kinds of trees (for example, trees of significant age, size, and/or foliage) -- particularly if they're close to the street -- can have on the neighborhood well beyond the tiny confines of your own property.
If you want to live in a city that couldn't begin to give a flying F* about trees, or anything else green, for most of its history -- and has the corresponding development footprint and visual character to show for it -- try moving to San Jose.
- Camillo 10y agoThe west side of the city (the Sunset and the Richmond) has little to recommend in terms of "visual character". It's also poorly connected to the rest of the city and has very poor walkability, save for the N corridor. They could just tear it all up and build mid-rises, if only they had better connections to stimulate demand.
- kafkaesq 10y agoEvery city has its underbellies and backsides -- most of them for more unappealing and unsalvageable than SF's. Meanwhile, very few large cities in North America (and I've been to basically all of them) have much to compare with in terms of architecture, character (up until the current boom, anyway) and charm. And in terms of the stunning beauty of its geographic surroundings -- precisely none of them. On balance there's basically no contest.
- eru 10y agoThey have enough demand. Zoning (and Nimbys) are bad.
- xfour 10y agoSo true, San Jose, and the greater Silicon Valley have a huge problem with this. The ongoing fight over Coyote Valley is the flashpoint of the moment but mostly because it's the only open space left.
- ecobiker 10y agoSF has far fewer trees than other cities. I agree that the city needs more trees but the city should plant them on sidewalks and other open spaces. http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/tree-cover-how-does-your-city-measure-up http://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/tree-cover-how-doe...
- Balgair 10y agoHA! San Fransisco is a dirty, 2 fisted drinking town, full-stop. It is not 'one of the most beautiful cities in the world'. Try Hamburg or Vienna. It is a port of call for those looking to escape polite society, be they gays, Chicanos, drunk miners, Russian trappers, whores, Burners, or whatever else isn't talked about on 5th Ave. Do not delude yourself into thinking San Fransisco's people care about anything but the prices of their vices. That is what makes SF great, it just wants to get sloppy drunk. Do whatever else you want.
- seanmcdirmid 10y agoSan Francisco's wooden victorian are very beautiful, it also has a lot of "western American port city" architecture in tact, as you say. Many of us find that beautiful compared to old European cities that have their own very different histories. "The most beautiful city in the world" is most definitely an exaggeration, but it definitely has its own charm.
- kafkaesq 10y ago"One of the most" is what I said, not "the most."
- seanmcdirmid 10y agoSure. I was just stating that the exaggerated point would have been...an exaggeration, not that this is the point you made. Sorry for the confusion.
- Retric 10y agoIMO, San Francisco is an ugly city. It's got that smattering of high rises in a mostly low rise city that just screams slums in most of the world. I mean there is a reason most photos are of a bridge not the buildings. I accept everyone has different aesthetics. But, the city just screams fake to me without any of the organic charm an old city or the brutal asthetic of say NY. PS: I guess you can call it unique...
- markcerqueira 10y agoCouldn't really take you seriously after you called San Francisco "one of the most beautiful cities in the world." Yeah - it's a hip and cool city, but I don't know... Maybe get out of the Bay Area some more and see the rest of the world?
- J5892 10y agoMy level of depression while walking outside significantly reduced once I moved away from San Jose. San Jose has a beauty reminiscent of Houston, Texas or Melbourne, Australia.
- jacalata 10y agoWhat do you find similar between Melbourne and Houston?
- sfmeteor 10y agoSF, a city so keenly aware of environmental issues that we built a dam in a national park to get some water.
- kafkaesq 10y agoI'm talking about the SF of 2016, not 1923.