Berkeley Planning Journal

The apparel manufac turing industry in San Francisco has experienced considerable growth since the late 1980s, due to the increasing organizational flexibility of the industry, the influx of Asian immigrants, and the availability of an industrial district adjacent to the CBD. However, the continued growth of the industry is in jeopardy because of AFTA, the minimum wage increases, and new compe tition for space in the industrial district from muhimedia and residential uses. Economic development efforts are currently attempting to facilitate a transition to higher value-added manufac ture, using modular production. This article argues that more traditional supply-side initia tives to reduce land, labor, and capital costs may be necessary first to preserve the industry.