Casey's review
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
by Jane Jacobs
Casey's review
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
Casey's review
rating:
This book is dense, long, and uses a horrible typeface that's hard to read. It took me a while to get through, but it was definitely worth it. A lot of it is a response to all the god-awful redevelopments of cities that was occuring in the 50s, and looking at more creative ways to ensure cities are places people want to live. Sometimes the author comes off as shrill and school-marmish, which gets tiring, but she's an incredible thinker - the main tenants of modern urban planning are all here, many for the first time (the importance of mixed uses and pedestrian friendly streets, the connection between people on the street at all times and public safety, etc.).
My main critique is the way she addresses poverty. At times she seems to think that all slums need is lively streets, and everyone will pull themselves up by their bootstraps. That's an oversimplification, but she does gloss over one of the central problems facing cities then and now.
My main critique is the way she addresses poverty. At times she seems to think that all slums need is lively streets, and everyone will pull themselves up by their bootstraps. That's an oversimplification, but she does gloss over one of the central problems facing cities then and now.