Forgotten Space Above Us: Living Roofs

The concept of a living roof dates back millennia. Humans excavated shelter underground, in hillsides, or on the sides of steep cliffs, which were intentionally covered with living vegetation (despite the structural flaws a meandering root might pose). These dwellings were naturally cooler, provided aesthetic benefits and limited the erosive forces exerted on structures. As the dwellings evolved above ground, living roofs maintained their place in areas across the world, from the the desert southwest to Scandinavia. In our quest to remove man from nature; to modernize and create entirely new environments, we lost sense of how to integrate the natural world with the artificial. Our modern era of intensive urban habitation has given way to concrete, asphalt and steel, leaving behind acres of gray, heat-absorbing rooftops.

However, the myriad of benefits provided by a living roof has been "rediscovered" by urban designers, architects and builders alike. In the quest to reduce our overall impact on the world around us (from reduced heating costs in winter to small-scale air purification plants can provide), living roofs are being reintroduced into the mainstream. The website Ecosalon.com has highlighted 17 examples from across the world, broadening the envelope of what is possible on the underutilized space above us. In our small 7 by 7 city, we here at SFB believe San Francisco should not be left out of this wonderful trend.

SFB and the Geary Corridor

Congratulations to SFB associate Jonathan Goldberg for appointment to the Geary Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Citizens Advisory Committee (or simply GCAC). Jonathan was selected among a list of qualified candidates and appointed to represent the Downtown neighborhood during the environmental analysis of the Geary BRT project. With 10 other members representing interests along the Geary Boulevard Corridor, Jonathan will be providing input to refine the BRT alternatives and ultimately select a preferred alternative for the project.

We are hopeful and excited that Jonathan will bring a contemplative and open-minded approach to the CAC, as well as a keen eye for streetscape design, beautification and transit efficacy. Congrats Jonathan!

SFB on SFGate

San Francisco Chronicle's Urban Design Critic John King has brought the possible changes to Mid-Market to the attention of many SFGate and Chronicle readers yesterday morning. After a World Series parade and celebration brought some much appreciated vitality to the area, John King discusses with Interim Executive Director Jim Chappell the proposed incremental changes to Mid-Market drafted by SFB's 2010 Prize Winner Cynthia Talley's report "Mid-Market: A Center for Creative Action." From mobile pianos meant to reflect the historical nature of the arts and theater district to book racks outside the main branch of the library, Ms. Talley's approach uses many existing attributes and implementation of temporary small to medium scale changes to the district to enhance economic vitality. Although the report is only a proposed set of ideas, it broadens the discussion of what might be possible for this section of Market Street.

We hope this article engages San Franciscans to take action and accelerates the incremental changes needed to change Mid-Market. Here's the link to John King's article.

What Makes Cities Great

In an excellent interview and perspective of the life work of Charles Landry, a writer, thinker, speaker and founder of the consulting firm Comedia, Strategy+Business provides insight into what makes cities great. A political economist by training, Mr. Landry has intertwined various ideas, from the commercial to the cultural, that helps establish and sustainably maintain a sense of place readily noticeable in every great city. His viewpoint provides an interesting lens for the future, as well as broad ideas to remake underutilized areas of our cities today.

Here's the link to the Strategy+Business article.

Momentum on Mid-Market

Among the 80 or so guests at the presentation of "Mid-Market, A Center for Creative Action" there were representatives from the DPW, Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Great Streets project, the San Francisco City Planning Department, the San Francisco Planning Commission as well as numerous other neighborhood stakeholders and concerned citizens. The overwhelming sense of support and enthusiasm for a creative / arts district along Mid-Market was encouraging and inspiring. Lets keep the vision alive!

Public Realm Prize report, 'Mid-Market, a Center for Creative Action' Presented

Tuesday September 21 was the debut of the first annual San Francisco Beautiful Public Realm Prize report, “Mid-Market, a Center for Creative Action.” Eighty people crowded into Luggage Store Gallery at 1019 Market Street at 5:30 for a wine and cheese reception followed by the 6:15 presentation.
The report was prepared by Cindy Talley, a recent graduate with a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

In sponsoring the San Francisco Beautiful Public Realm Prize, San Francisco Beautiful’s objectives are:
- give a gift to the city that will stimulate positive change to the environment
- demonstrate SFB’s philosophy and principles in a tangible way
- provide the opportunity for an exemplary young professional to contribute to the city.

This year we selected Mid-Market Street as the site of our efforts because:
- last November, Prop D, encouraging billboards on this street, was erroneously being promoted as promoting positive change and economic development
- SFB led the charge to inform the public, who defeated Prop D at the polls
- SFB then took the responsibility to produce a positive alternative that is complementary to the many efforts the City is putting into Mid-Market and that can demonstrate quick, affordable changes to the environment.

Market Street will be repaved in about five years. The city is mounting major design studies to rethink the entire street, from the Ferry Building to Octavia Boulevard. San Francisco Beautiful, working with the Planning Department and other City agencies, selected the most troubled stretch, from Sixth to Van Ness, to posit a number of activation strategies. Whatever specific design solutions the City chooses to ultimately build, the City and SFB believe they must be in support of two principles:
- life on Market Street should reflect its physical prominence in the city
- pedestrians in the public realm should experience comfort, enjoyment and safety.

The goals we are attempting to optimize are:
- increase pedestrian activity on weekdays, nights and weekends by developing a creative center of theater, cinema, music, art and poetry
- fill the need for affordable creative space through simple, low-cost renovations to empty buildings
- establish an art themed trajectory for future changes to Mid-Market

The Many Efforts to Improve Mid-Market

There is no shortage of efforts and opinions on improving Mid-Market. I've been bookmarking this work through delicious. Taken together, the links provide a sense of all the activity.