Jane Jacobs moved with her sister to Greenwich Village during the Depression and began a lifelong love affair with the neighborhood. She attended the Columbia College of General Studies and supported herself as a freelance writer. Eventually she landed at Architectural Forum as an associate editor. She began to ask questions about the impact of wholesale urban renewal and slum clearance on the the street life in cities. She felt that the residents were not considered in many of the planning decisions that were being made. She began speaking about it and eventually landed a Rockefeller Foundation grant that funded the three years of research that became The Death and Life of Great American Cities.
Born, 1916
Died, 2006
Related Events
The Art & Architecture of Park Avenue from Lever to Grand Central,Every year on the first weekend in May, Jane's Walk festivals take place around the world. They are a series of free, walks and discussions led by committed citizens who share their knowledge about and love for places inspired by Jane Jacobs. Naturally we signed on the moment the Municipal Art Society decided to organize the event in New York over a decade ago. Many of the people who have joined us on these tours happen to know a lot about our city. We've enjoyed sharing what we know and learning from them.
The Commons : The Heart of New York City,Every year on the first weekend in May, Jane's Walk festivals take place around the world. They are a series of free, walks and discussions led by committed citizens who share their knowledge about and love for places inspired by Jane Jacobs. Naturally we signed on the moment the Municipal Art Society decided to organize the event in New York over a decade ago. Many of the people who have joined us on these tours happen to know a lot about our city. We've enjoyed sharing what we know and learning from them.