GreenSwards would be the first step in re-engineering cities to serve the needs of people, instead of the needs of automobiles. At least half of all usable space in cities is occupied by or designed to serve motor vehicles. The young, old, and people with disabilities have a particularly difficult time getting around in "modern" urban environments. ( A truly modern environment would be designed for the needs of the least-abled).
A GreenSward is a corridor in an urban area that has no combustion-engine vehicles, has an abundance of native plants and animals, is a communal open space, has cycle and pedestrian paths usable by persons of all abilities, has restrooms, drinking water, and trash/recycling receptacles available, and has maintenance and security provided by the people who live in the neighborhood or District it runs through.
The primary corridor would run from the Ferry Building over Twin Peaks to Stern Grove and Lake Merced. Lake Merced would be bio-remediated to its pre-colonial condition: an estuary open to the Pacific Ocean, allowing the steelhead and salmon to return. Another would run from Aquatic Park to San Bruno Mountain, which would also be restored. Think redwoods and Western Red Cedar and hazelnuts and toyon and golden eagles. A third corridor would run the length of Geary Blvd. to Ocean Beach. Another corridor would continue from Ft. Mason/Aquatic Park down the entire eastern shoreline to at least Candlestick Point. And another from Crystal Springs to the Presidio.
Automobile tunnels would (finaly) be built from Caesar Chavez Blvd. and under 19th Avenue to the Golden Gate Bridge to eliminate the millions of cars "just passing through" the City. These green corridors would have solar and/or tidal/wave-powered light rail robo-vehicles running 24/7. In addition to native species, fruit trees, selected ornamentals, and community gardens would be part of the peaceful, quiet, safe, clean permaculture landscape.
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