Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Jane Jacobs (4 May 1916 – 25 April 2006) was a US-Canadian journalist, author, theorist, and activist who influenced urban studies, sociology, and economics. Her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) argued that “urban renewal” and “slum clearance” did not respect the needs of city dwellers.
Life and Career
She was born on 4 May 1916, in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Jane Jacobs grew up in a family of doctors and teachers, and she attended Columbia University in New York City. After dropping out of college, she worked as a writer and editor, and in the 1950s, she moved to Greenwich Village with her husband and children.
Jacobs became involved in activism in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in the fight against the urban renewal projects that were destroying neighborhoods in New York City. Her most famous book, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” was published in 1961 and is still considered a seminal work in the field of urban planning.
In addition to her writing, Jacobs was also involved in various community-based projects, including the establishment of the Greenwich Village Association and the campaign to stop the Lower Manhattan Expressway.
Jane Jacobs died on 25 April 2006, at the age of 89, in Toronto, Canada. She was survived by her three children and her husband, who died a few months after her.
Award and Legacy
Throughout her career, Jacobs received numerous awards and honors for her work in urban planning and activism. In 1995, she was awarded the Vincent Scully Prize by the National Building Museum, and in 2000, she received the National Medal of Arts from the United States government.
Jane Jacobs’ legacy can be seen in the many urban planning and development projects that have adopted her ideas about the importance of community-based planning and the preservation of historic neighborhoods. Her influence can also be seen in the ongoing debates about the role of cities in the 21st century and the need for sustainable, livable communities.
On 4 May 2016, Google celebrated Jane Jacobs’ 100th birthday with a doodle.
FAQ on Jane Jacobs
Jane Jacobs is known for her work in urban planning and her advocacy for community-based development. She is most famous for her book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” which is still considered a seminal work in the field of urban planning.
Jane Jacobs was born on May 4, 1916, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the United States.
Jane Jacobs died on April 25, 2006, in Toronto, Canada, at the age of 89.
Jane Jacobs believed in the importance of preserving historic neighborhoods and in community-based planning that involved local residents in the decision-making process. She also believed that cities should be designed for people, not just cars, and that urban planning should prioritize walkability, diversity, and sustainability.
Jane Jacobs’ ideas have had a significant impact on the field of urban planning, particularly in the area of community-based planning and the preservation of historic neighborhoods. Her work has influenced the development of many urban planning projects, including the creation of pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, the preservation of urban parks and green spaces, and the development of mixed-use neighborhoods.
Throughout her career, Jane Jacobs received numerous awards and honors for her work in urban planning and activism. She was awarded the Vincent Scully Prize by the National Building Museum in 1995, and she received the National Medal of Arts from the United States government in 2000.