Quality of Life in San Francisco The quality of life is determined by its activities.

- Aristotle Quality of life involves the attributes making a place a good physical and social environment for its residents. One primary goal of urban policy and economic development is to raise the quality of life. San Francisco must attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing quality services and infrastructure. Comparatively, San Francisco ranks second amongst US cities and 28th among global cities. In addition, the quality of life in San Francisco ranks far better than New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, and Seattle. One reason the quality of life is high in San Francisco is because SF has a wide array of entertainment and dining options. The quality of the area surrounding businesses is extremely important. 75% of San Francisco businesses indicated the quality of the surrounding area was very important. Michela Alioto-Pier argues San Franciscans deserve safe neighborhoods, strong communities, and well-maintained infrastructure. The quality of life in San Francisco is dependent upon upgrading neighborhood commercial areas, encouraging creativity by developing SF as a center for the Arts, and recognizing the value of open spaces. Visitors value San Franciscos cultural tradition of embracing entertainment and the arts. San Francisco ranks second to Manhattan with 44 arts organizations for every 10,000 residents. The perception of safety and crime in an area significantly impacts quality of life. A leading indicator of quality of life is the crime rate. Dangerous areas see fewer consumers, less investment, and a decrease in maintenance. The perception of security is extremely important in San Francisco because of the large number of small businesses. In contrast, a low crime rate is a positive force uplifting quality of life. San Francisco has a lower crime rate than Boston and Los Angeles. However, San Franciscos crime rate is worse than New York, San Diego, Austin, and San Jose.

The importance of pedestrian public spaces cannot be measured. We cannot prove mathematically that wider sidewalks, pedestrian streets, more or better parks make people happier, much less measure how much happier. However if we reflect, most things that are important in life cannot be measured either: Friendship, beauty, love and loyalty are examples. Parks and other pedestrian places are essential to a citys happiness. - Enrique Pealosa, Project for Public Spaces Goals and Recommendations Quality of Life 3 Goals - Upgrade Neighborhood Commercial Areas - Encourage Creativity by Continuing to Develop San Francisco as a Center for the Arts - Recognize and Enhance the Value of Parks and Open Spaces Neighborhood Commercial Areas One specific recommendation is to upgrade neighborhood commercial areas. The San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureaus (SFCVB) ought to expand tourism marketing to include distinctive neighborhood districts. Free shuttles should be provided by the SFCVB in neighborhood commercial districts lacking adequate public transportation. These free shuttles should travel from tourist destinations to more distant neighborhoods. A renewed focus on marketing these neighborhoods will lead to an increase in tourist traffic. It is recommended that each neighborhood receive the resources required to create a marketing campaign, which furthers the overall San Francisco experience. Specific neighborhoods could attract more business by advertising their unique character. For example, the Fillmore district in San Francisco has embraced its cultural history and reinvented itself as the Jazz district. Quality of life is strengthened by ongoing investment in neighborhood commercial areas. The Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative provides grants, coordination, business attraction assistance, and support to commercial districts without the ability to

pass a community benefit district (CBD). It is highly recommended that major efforts be taken to maintain and beautify neighborhood commercial districts, which includes corridor maintenance, faade, improvement programs, and streetscape. Collaboratively, the DPW, MTA, the Mayors Office, and the Planning Department should secure funding to ensure the sustainable development of neighborhood commercial districts. In addition, the Mayors office should improve local businesses and the attractiveness of commercial areas by matching grants to fund faade improvements. Undeniably, neighborhood commercial areas are critical to San Franciscans overall quality of life. These neighborhoods are special because they represent diversity, culture, and an experience sought by tourists. Developing San Francisco as a Center for the Arts The ubiquity of Arts in San Francisco is a source of jobs and a competitive advantage in industries ranging from media to tourism. As previously discussed, San Francisco is a leading national center of the arts, which is a role that must be expanded even further. Raising the visibility of the San Francisco arts scene will lead to an increase in tourism marketing. The San Francisco Arts Task Force has examined the arts infrastructure in San Francisco and made recommendations regarding the economic value and sustainability of the Arts. The task force recommends San Francisco use land and financial resources to create more affordable housing and work spaces for artists. The increase in housing and land prices in San Francisco makes it difficult for artists to find adequate housing and work spaces. One strategy is for density bonuses to be awarded to developers who include arts space in their development projects. Another strategy proposed by the Task Force includes creating new programs aimed at promoting more opportunities for local artists, which eventually contributes to the overall quality of life in San Francisco. The increase of local opportunities for artists translates into a better visitor experience and quality of life. The Task Force also recommends strengthening the art industry by making information relevant to artists readily available through 311, the city website, and the business assistance center. In addition, more collaboration is needed to expand cultural tourism and art. A more collaborative approach making San Francisco the center for the

arts can be achieved by the city and city agencies working closely with tourists and neighborhoods. Parks and Open Space Recognizing and enhancing the value of parks and open spaces is a critical element to smart growth. Parks and open spaces are important to tourism and the quality of life that attracts productive people to live in San Francisco. San Francisco must find long-term solutions for maintenance of parks and open spaces. Other cities around the United States are partnering with non-profit organizations to create and maintain open spaces. Some of these cities include New York and Chicago. For example, the Playfield Initiative in San Francisco uses donated money to resurface playfields throughout the city. The Parks and Recreation Department should continue to create partnerships beneficial towards maintaining and expanding parks and open spaces. Parks and open spaces are economic development foundations, which create value through contributions to tourism, land-value, recreation, entertainment, and the health of the environment. Another recommendation is to create and manage Park Improvement Districts (PIDs), which fund improvements and maintenance of civic plazas and squares. PIDs could possibly fund improved public safety services, contribute to capital improvements, and support maintenance efforts. The quality of life is more important than life itself. Alexis Carrel Conclusion The quality of life in San Francisco is a major reason for San Franciscos economic success. If visitors and talented innovators are going to continue to seek out the city, San Francisco must recognize and invest in the quality of its neighborhoods, arts, and parks and open spaces.