Jane Jacobs

1916–2006

3 standalone books

Jane Jacobs (1916–2006) was an American–Canadian journalist, author, and activist. She is best known for her 1961 book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, in which she criticized urban renewal projects for ignoring the needs of city residents. Her work introduced concepts such as "eyes on the street" and "social capital." Jacobs organized grassroots efforts to protect neighborhoods from urban development, particularly opposing Robert Moses's plans for Greenwich Village. She was arrested in 1968 during a protest against the Lower Manhattan Expressway. After moving to Toronto in 1968, she opposed the Spadina Expressway. Despite her influence, she faced criticism for lacking formal education and for being imprecise. She was also accused of overlooking racial inequality.

Born

1916