San Francisco Neighborhood Name-Game

I don´t normally buy the San Francisco Chronicle every day when I get on Bart (even though it's cheaper), but I did on Friday. I wanted to have thee metropolis feeling in my daily commute. And I did. :)

I found an article about SF Neighborhoods, about their names and boundaries. Apparently, San Francisco Association of Realtors (you can find the link here) is going to update the real state map (2005). In this new map coming up this summer, the Financial District will become the Barbary Coast, and the Western Addition will be NoPa (North Panhandle).

I wanted to upload some maps that I've been working in this year to share them, so that we can see the Financial District- Barbary Coast dilemma, and then you can decide, give an opinion:
US Coast Survey 1853.
Columbus Avenue didn´t exist yet and the shore line was up to Montgomery Street and California Street:


The superimposition of the existing GIS Map and the 1853 map explains how the Finacial District was in deed a place for pirates (ironic, right?)



The existing Zoning direct the land use of the City, therefore some commercial districts have define an identity from the land use allowed. In the case of North Beach and Barbary Coast i would guess that it´s been the other way around, the regulations came after the character of the neighborhood. I guess this requires specific study for each case, look for the History and stories of our cities...


My first reaction was to think in which world we live that real state practitioners give names to our cities? How does this work? Is it always been like that? Is this the "normal" way of shaping, and naming our cities? (I really appreciate some answers and opinions). For me, it explains perfectly the concept of "urban branding". It helps understand the fact that citizens identify themselves with the places where they live; understand the concept of identity; and also understand the strategy for development: to increase land value, and to attract investors ($)to certain parts of the cities.

It has been a relief to google the article this morning and find out that there is a opposed reaction from SFranciscans about it in the comments of SF Gate and in other blogs (SFist). It was fun to go to a list of neighborhoods that people have created as a reaction about the article. I think it´s a great tool to know about a city and the character of its citizens. I´m really hoping to see the final map soon! I´m sure the boundaries of the neighborhoods will be another battle to fight!