The Death and Life of Great American Cities

50th Anniversary Edition

By: Jane Jacobs, Jason Epstein — Introduction

Narrated by: Donna Rawlins

Thirty years after its publication, The Death and Life of Great American Cities was described by The New York Times as "perhaps the most influential single work in the history of town planning....[It] can also be seen in a much larger context. It is first of all a work of literature; the descriptions of street life as a kind of ballet and the bitingly satiric account of traditional planning theory can still be read for pleasure even by those who long ago absorbed and appropriated the book's arguments." Jane Jacobs, an editor and writer on architecture in New York City in the early sixties, argued that urban diversity and vitality were being destroyed by powerful architects and city planners. Rigorous, sane, and delightfully epigrammatic, Jacobs's small masterpiece is a blueprint for the humanistic management of cities. It is sensible, knowledgeable, readable, indispensable. The author has written a new foreword for this Modern Library edition.

Critic reviews

"The most refreshing, provacative, stimulating and exciting study of this [great problem] which I have seen. It fairly crackles with bright honesty and common sense." —The New York Times

"Magnificent ... Describes with brilliant specificity what works and what doesn't in cities, in language that is fearless and crisp as a trumpet blast." —Rebecca Solnit

"Perhaps the most influential single work in the history of town planning... Jacobs has a powerful sense of narrative, a lively wit, a talent for surprise and the ability to touch the emotions as well as the mind" —The New York Times Book Review

"One of the most remarkable books ever written about the city ... a primary work. The research apparatus is not pretentious—it is the eye and the heart—but it has given us a magnificent study of what gives life and spirit to the city." —William H. Whyte, author of The Organization Man

Excellent Insight

As someone very interested in city and community planning, this book has given me much needed insight into what makes a city tick.

Excellent approach to city planning from a non-city planner but dated.

City planners are starting to incorporate the big city project ideas along with Jane Jacobs mixed use philosophy. Just google 80/20 housing lotteries in NYC as a prime example for mixed rent/income dwellings. Some even incorporate parks/amenities/ and public schools to ease the strain on surrounding municipalities. While I do agree with community members being the eyes and ears of the streets responsible for those that walk/play on their streets, I do not believe the frigid winters and curb side garbage pickups of the city streets offer an ideal environment for children to play. Certainly blocks filled with skyscrapers will never have the sidewalk space to accommodate all of the buildings children to play on the sidewalk even if they did close off their streets. The advent of big data mining I feel will also help organize and better streamline the information and communications between those most in need to make crucial decisions regarding city planning. Nevertheless a great book that will forever change the way I view city streets.

Jacobs analysis of the functionality of cities is both interesting and surprising.

This book is the foundation for modern urbanism and a must read for everyone. If we all understood the processes that influence cities better maybe we could tame suburban sprawl.

Worthwhile topic

While the topic is applicable today and her input sheds light on many aspects of urban planning, she does seem a bit pessimistic (probably rightfully so) and I found the narration difficult to follow at times. Not sure if it’s the narrator or how the book is written.

I can’t believe this was written in 1961

...and Jacobs’ insights are still disregarded by those making disastrous and unsustainable policy and planning decisions. She was way ahead of her time and this is essential reading for all engaged in city planning and community building, professionals or otherwise.