This is a self-guided augmented reality tour of San Francisco’s adapting waterfront past, present, and future.
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1. Download Adobe Aero. Sign in.
Step 2. Click on the map markers, hold the QR code, and click “Open Adobe Aero” to be redirected to the AR experience.
Step 3. Look in the direction of the present-day photo.
Step 4. Once uploaded, tap on screen to anchor the AR installation on ground.
Step 5. Enjoy and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Adapting Waterfronts is a self-guided augmented reality tour along San Francisco’s historic downtown. The project invites the public to explore the past, present, and potential future transformations of the city’s shoreline as it adapts to climate change by visualizing installations at 8 designated locations. Supported by funds from the Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (RCSA) Grant Program at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Created by Gabriel Tenaya Kaprielian
Website/logo by Abigail Chen
Site 1 - Mission Street (1917): OpenSFHistory.org / wnp36.01691; DPW Horace Chaffee (SF Department of Public Works / Courtesy of a Private Collector)
Site 2 - 1st Street (1914): OpenSFHistory.org / wnp36.00474; DPW Horace Chaffee (SF Department of Public Works / Courtesy of a Private Collector)
Site 3 - Market Street (1903): OpenSFHistory.org / wnp27.0263; (Courtesy of a Private Collector)
Site 4 - Battery Street (1916): OpenSFHistory.org / wnp36.01311; DPW Horace Chaffee (SF Department of Public Works / Courtesy of a Private Collector)
Site 5 - Pine Street (1866): OpenSFHistory.org / wnp71.1981; Lawrence & Houseworth (Martin Behrman Negative Collection / Courtesy of the Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives)
Site 6 - Montgomery Street (1907): OpenSFHistory.org / wnp102.0052; (Helen Sjoberg Collection / Courtesy of Vicky Walker, Bernal History Project)
Site 7 - Davis Street (1921): OpenSFHistory.org / wnp36.02596; (DPW Horace Chaffee (SF Department of Public Works / Courtesy of a Private Collector))
Site 8 - Market Street (1960): OpenSFHistory.org / wpn27.5217; (Courtesy of a Private Collector)
The sea level rise data was created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management.
The historic shoreline data was sourced from UC Berkeley Library, “GIS (Geospatial Information Systems): California & Bay Area GIS Data.”
All data is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License.
The content contained in this website are speculative fictions. Their intended purpose is to inspire the imagination by considering different scenarios and strategies for climate change adaptation. The images are artistic renderings and do not explicitly reflect the scientific findings or stance of any of the partner organizations.