San Francisco's Instant Public Space

The San Francisco Chronicle's John King looks at the city's new public plaza -- a successful "small move" in the face of unrealized "big plans".

1 minute read

May 21, 2009, 10:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"The 7,800-square-foot plaza at 17th and Castro streets offers urbanity at its ad-hoc best- and a reminder that when the aim is to better a city, small moves can be more fruitful than grand schemes.

That's an easy fact to forget in boom times. Look no further than San Francisco's recent past: Skylines were mapped and neighborhoods were rezoned as though the future could be shaped at will. There was planning and posturing aplenty, with drawn-out debates over height limits, cultural diversity, the business mix, you name it.

Then the economic tide went out - fast - leaving empty lots and dashed expectations. Until it returns, all those Big Plans will remain a Big Mirage.

By way of comparison, what's called 17th Street Plaza moved from idea to implementation in a matter of five months and $25,000."

Thanks to ArchNewsNow

FULL STORY: Block off cars, add trees - presto, it's a park

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in San Francisco Chronicle

Land Use Landscape Architecture Urban Development California Parks San Francisco Public Space View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.