San Francisco's Metropolitan Dominance
A second way to discuss regional interaction is through transportation modes as they relate to metropolitan dominance. David Kaplan et al. asserts: “The progress in transportation technology continues today to impact not only the growth of individual towns and cities, but also the degree of connectivity and the level of accessibility among urban groups or systems,” [15]. Geographers like Kaplan often measure metropolitan dominance—or the enormous population and resource power of certain cities—by how they rank in transportation carrying. For example, he explains that airports can indicate metropolitan dominance: those with the highest rankings of passenger movement are often those that serve the largest regional areas [15].
A strong argument can be made for transportation’s influence on San Francisco’s metropolitan development and regional interaction. The city has always been well connected to the latest in transportation technology, and therefore well connected to the region and beyond. Ever since trade regulations loosened when the city became a Mexican territory in 1821, San Francisco grew from its port activity, which brought both goods and people to the area via commercial and military activity [23]. Today, the primary port is actually located in Oakland, but still contributes to the overall economic and regional impact on San Francisco. Later when the transcontinental railroad took off in the 19th century, several of San Francisco’s most powerful businessmen built the Central Pacific Railroad—a line that finally connected San Francisco to the East Coast in 1869. Interestingly, however, while this transportation development may have expanded San Francisco’s regional interaction, it also increased competition and hurt the city’s economy for a time [23]. Air travel revolutionized San Francisco’s regional interaction without the same adverse economic effects of the railroad. Built in the 1920s, the San Francisco Airport (SFO) attracted both commercial and passenger flights. It eventually became the base for the first transoceanic air service, and was renamed the “San Francisco International Airport” in 1948 [27]. Now ranking seventh nationally in total passengers and 19th nationally in cargo, the airport is a major source of basic economic activity, bringing both people and goods through the region—much like the early sea trade did [27]. In 2012 alone, SFO produced an approximate economic impact of $55.8 billion for the metropolitan area via job creation, increased tourism, and increased industries to support the airport and visitors [6]. On a smaller scale, the Bay Area’s regional transit system, BART (built in the 70s), has linked San Francisco with the region in a way that has facilitated the metropolitan’s collective development and overall strength. Regional transportation advocates hope for even further transit-oriented development around BART lines that will solidify San Francisco’s strong history of regional interaction. less is less.
A strong argument can be made for transportation’s influence on San Francisco’s metropolitan development and regional interaction. The city has always been well connected to the latest in transportation technology, and therefore well connected to the region and beyond. Ever since trade regulations loosened when the city became a Mexican territory in 1821, San Francisco grew from its port activity, which brought both goods and people to the area via commercial and military activity [23]. Today, the primary port is actually located in Oakland, but still contributes to the overall economic and regional impact on San Francisco. Later when the transcontinental railroad took off in the 19th century, several of San Francisco’s most powerful businessmen built the Central Pacific Railroad—a line that finally connected San Francisco to the East Coast in 1869. Interestingly, however, while this transportation development may have expanded San Francisco’s regional interaction, it also increased competition and hurt the city’s economy for a time [23]. Air travel revolutionized San Francisco’s regional interaction without the same adverse economic effects of the railroad. Built in the 1920s, the San Francisco Airport (SFO) attracted both commercial and passenger flights. It eventually became the base for the first transoceanic air service, and was renamed the “San Francisco International Airport” in 1948 [27]. Now ranking seventh nationally in total passengers and 19th nationally in cargo, the airport is a major source of basic economic activity, bringing both people and goods through the region—much like the early sea trade did [27]. In 2012 alone, SFO produced an approximate economic impact of $55.8 billion for the metropolitan area via job creation, increased tourism, and increased industries to support the airport and visitors [6]. On a smaller scale, the Bay Area’s regional transit system, BART (built in the 70s), has linked San Francisco with the region in a way that has facilitated the metropolitan’s collective development and overall strength. Regional transportation advocates hope for even further transit-oriented development around BART lines that will solidify San Francisco’s strong history of regional interaction. less is less.