Jane Jacobs, 1916-2006

One of the most influential urban thinkers, writers, and activists of the 20th century dies at age 89 in Toronto, Canada.

"I enthusiastically endorse the campaign to close Central Park’s loop drive to regular automobile traffic. We had the same sort of fight in Washington Square Park in the late 1950s and in my neighborhood here in Toronto a couple of years ago: same prediction of traffic chaos, same result of no chaos, diminished traffic counts and no counts increased elsewhere in consequence. Isn’t it curious that traffic engineers are so loath to learn something new even after repeated demonstrations?"

–Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, and Systems of Survival.

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Jane Jacobs Today

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Jane Jacobs’ ideas redefined urban planning, and her hometowns of New York and Toronto are among many cities that continue to feel the impact of her writings. The American Planning Association’s New York Metro Chapter, the Canadian Consulate General, and NYU Wagner will present a panel exploring the importance, meaning, and influence of her work, […]

Jane Jacobs Tribute Tonight

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There will be a public celebration for Jane Jacobs this evening, 5:00 pm, under the arch in Washington Square Park. Lisa Chamerblain will be there and has a nice write-up on her blog, Polis: It has become the contrarian fashion to say that Jane Jacobs’ contribution to urban planning didn’t address many of the problems […]