Bay Area Population Projected to Rise by 2 Million People in Next Thirty Years

A study released yesterday by the Association of Bay Area Governments issued a report yesterday in which predicts continued growth for the Bay Area.  They expect the number of jobs and people will increase through 2035, but the area's housing stock may not keep pace.  The association calls for "smart growth," calling for the creation of housing and services around transportation centers, while preserving open space.  This sounds smart to me. Part of what makes living in San Francisco so amazing is that we have all of the benefits of living in a major metropolitan city--it is international, diverse, has fabulous music, dance and visual arts, and is a mecca for foodies.  Our quality of life is greatly enhanced by our proximity to incredible natural beauty--the ocean, the bay, the mountains and city parks that are beautiful gems.

Growth in the population (some of which is expected to be a growth in older residents, 60+) is good for San Francisco property values, as it will keep demand for the housing we have strong.  This growth presents interesting challenges for the City of San Francisco and our system of government.  Will city officials be able to look beyond their short-term political agendas to create a comprehensive plan that will allow the city to grow in a really smart way--that serves the needs of growth by an aging population, that wants green housing and an environmentally healthy city?