This sounds like an explanation that is found in a future history book where cultural context is absent and the researchers are looking for a simple answer. The

This sounds like an explanation that is found in a future history book where cultural context is absent and the researchers are looking for a simple answer. There are plenty of ostensibly nice places that sport the exact same public infrastructure as SF. It’s just become standard and any deviation to more ornamental pieces is almost always seen as a quaint throwback.