Misty's review
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
by Jane Jacobs
Misty's review
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
Misty's review
rating:
recommended for: urban theorists
I enjoyed this book. Epscially considering that I read it straing after Le Corb. Jane Jacobs makes some common sensical points very well. Much of what she says simply makes sense. But perhaps this is its possilbe weakness. To say something is so because it is common sense is possibly not the best reason to justify planning/ or doing anything really because it is not backed up with evidence (well evidence that would stand up to academic deconstruction). But saying that - this book is not meant to be an academic text per se. It is a book that must be seen as part of a context - part of a protest movement re city planning in the Robert Moses vain. The points made about the uses of city street and the unrealistic seperation of cities into zones is very interesting. I find myself walking around New York and thinking ... yeah .... Jane Jacobs is right .... This book has made me think. It is defo worth a read.