Jacobs, Jane

Jane Jacobs was a pioneering urbanist and author known for her influential ideas on city planning and community development. In her seminal book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" (1961), she argued for the importance of vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods, emphasizing the role of local communities in urban life. Jacobs critiqued the top-down approaches of urban renewal that often disregarded the needs of residents. Her work advocated for walkable streets, diverse architectural styles, and the integration of public spaces, shaping modern urban studies and policies and inspiring grassroots movements for more livable cities.