A. Original watersheds and shoreline edge of San Francisco

The original coast line of eastern San Francisco was never linear but a diverse edge with extensive topographical changes that established a diverse littoral zone along the edge. With time, the topography and marshland was eliminated due to extensive bay fill that formed the industrial bay. Ironically with rising tides, much of this land has the ability to be ‘reclaimed’ by the sea.

B. Existing industrial land/public transportation/urban barriers

There are many current mixed use development proposals for the eastern waterfront, however, today much of the industrial land remains vacant or underutilized. The industrial eastern waterfront remains one of the lowest economic densities and FAR in San Francisco. This proposal calls for densification of this industrial land and impervious surfaces such as parking lots, become pervious. Most of this industrial landscape is inaccessible to the public -creating a disconnection between the urban environment and the waterfront. With new mixed use development proposals most of the industrial past is often left unrecognizable in new devel- oped areas. The industrial urban waterfront is continually isolated from the larger context and its historical fabric.

C. Toxins and sea level rise

With sea level rise the coastline could increase from 40 miles to 52 miles. However, San Francisco could also loose 11,000 acres of land. Within this number approximately 80% of land lost is cur- rently industrial or port land and is heavily contaminated because of past industrial use. As sea level rises toxins may easily spread to the larger bay contaminating valuable land and the larger eco system. Remediation could take decades and is a process that should start immediately. Projected sea level rise could not only have negative impacts on existing developments, infrastructure and farmland, but it will also increase salinity in the bay, altering the larger eco systems.