I love living in San Francisco. There are many things about it that warm my heart: the Victorian buildings, the food, the neighborhood diversity… the list goes on. But the one thing that really gets me is the city’s environmental conscience. As the first town to outlaw plastic bags, San Francisco continually tries to outdo itself on the eco-friendly scale. The newest proposal by the Transbay Joint Powers Authority is a perfect example of the city’s commitment to all things green: a new transit center with a five-and-a-half acre public park on top of the building. We San Franciscians have Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects to thank for a design that blends transit, community, and sustainability together so well.
Not to rain on San Fran’s parade (they’re certainly ages ahead of San Diego), but they were not the first to ban plastic bags. Somalia banned them in 2005, and they don’t even have a functioning central government. It’s sad how far behind we in the US of A are. Just sayin.
Thanks Kyle, awesome little known fact! I guess it should read that San Francisco was the first U.S. city to ban plastic bags. Yes, it is sad how the States are continually trying to play catch-up with the rest of the world (and developing nations!) in terms of environmental initiatives.
Behind, yes. But I welcome the initiatives and just because you’re behind doesn’t mean you should give up. As for San Diego, I’m hoping these new airport plans are a positive step: http://www.san.org/sdcraa/airport_initiatives/green_build/default.aspx