Urban Development and Redevelopment in san Francisco^*

* I thank James Chappell, Eileen Donahue, Paul Groth, Richard Juhl, Max Kirkeberg, and Marilyn Levine for their research assistance on this article.

Abstract

San Francisco has arisen as an “instant city” not once but three times: after the California Gold Rush (1849–1875), following the 1906 earthquake and fire (1906–1930), and with the modern high‐rise city (1960–1985). These pivotal periods of intense city building, each about twenty‐five years in duration, have been separated by a generation of relative stability. Current redevelopment activity raises an intriguing historical‐geographical question: Is a fourth instant city in the making?

• planning
• restructuring
• San Francisco
• SoMa (South of Market)
• world city

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian J. Godfrey

Dr. Godfrey is a professor of geography at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York 12604–0482.