The Dark Side Of Growth In Silicon Valley

Though Silicon Valley has created millionaires it has also generated sky-rocketing housing prices, sprawl, and traffic congestion.

1 minute read

December 31, 2001, 10:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"This is the dark side of regional success in the New Economy. Along with tremendous wealth have come severe problems: astronomically high housing prices, suburban sprawl, traffic, income inequality and economic volatility...While thousands of people became millionaires in building big-name Silicon Valley companies...there was nowhere near enough housing to accommodate the workers those companies attracted. As businesses sprawled south along the suburban peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, the freeways and mass transit systems quickly proved inadequate. Eventually dot-com workers pushed long-time residents out of San Francisco itself... In an earlier era of American history, when heavy manufacturing was the cutting-edge industry, the problems of economic success were pollution and dangerous factory working conditions. Now they are housing shortages and suburban sprawl."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Sunday, December 23, 2001 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Officials cutting a ceremonial red ribbon at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, California.

New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley

The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.

April 18 - The Signal

Workers putting down asphalt on road.

U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause

A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.

April 18 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of Barcelona, Spain with Sagrada Familia church in middle among dense buildings.

How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability

The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.

April 18 - The Conversation

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.