Jane Jacobs' Masterpiece, 50 Years Later

Anthony Flint looks at the legacy of Jane Jacobs upon the 50th anniversary of the release of "The Death and Life of Great American Cities."

1 minute read

November 14, 2011, 2:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur

Flint, author of a book on the battle between Jacobs and Robert Moses, says that planners today might benefit more from a dose of Moses' political savvy in addition to Jacobs' ideals:

"Activists who claim the mantle of Jacobs are often simply saying 'not in my backyard.' In Brooklyn, several women donned blond wigs and black-rimmed glasses - the author's signature look - channeling Jacobs to protest rezoning and infill redevelopment plans. Jacobs sought to preserve historical gems but never intended for cities to be frozen in amber. She recognized they needed to evolve, to be places of innovation and change. But many continue to fight battles against environmentally beneficial and well-designed projects as if it were still 1961."

FULL STORY: An urban legacy in need of renewal

Monday, November 14, 2011 in The Boston Globe

Community / Economic Development United States Robert Moses Jane Jacobs Anthony Flint

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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