The Effects of Suburbanization and its self-imposed Greenbelt on Population Growth in the S.F. Bay Area

Abstract

My project originally evolved from my desire to write about the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the affect that these bridges had on population growth in the Bay Area. However, because of the many other factors involved that influence population growth, I decided to ·change course on my SIP. Instead, I went back to the drawing board and analyzed the demographic growth of the region in terms of population and affluence. My research led me to my current SIP topic, which focuses on the suburbanization of the Bay Area and the ways in which its greenbelt has impeded population growth. Additionally, I would like to recognize the fact that, as a native to the Bay Area having grown up in Marin County, I am objective in my discussion of the Bay Area. However, I believe that my bias is a useful tool in my analysis of the Bay Area because, having been born and raised in the area, I have a uniquely distinctive perspective.