What We See Blog
The Rockefeller Foundation today honors Joshua David and Robert Hammond and Elizabeth Barlow Rogers with its Jane Jacobs Medal, celebrating their inspiring contributions to the field of urban planning in New York.
David and Hammond are the co-founders of Friends of the High Line, which reclaimed New York’s elevated High Line railroad and transformed the area into a community park and home to public art. Elizabeth Barlow Rogers is a lifelong advocate for vibrant public spaces. New York’s inaugural Central Park Administrator, she founded the Central Park Conservancy in 1980 and serves as an author, teacher, and lecturer.
Congratulations to the winners!
Elizabeth Barlow Rogers;
Joshua David and Robert Hammond, photo by Jeffrey Donenfeld
The Gothamist's Jake Dobkin talked to What We See co-editor Stephen Goldsmith about the impact Jane Jacob's ideas and activism has had on shaping the cities we live in.
"It's been more than four years since urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs passed away, but the issues she focused on during her life seem more pressing than ever: how to build successful neighborhoods and cities, the economic survival of small business in the face of development..." Read the full interview here.
The Grove Community School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada participated in a Jane's Walk School Edition. Teachers and parents gave the students clipboards and plastic black glasses to imitate and amplify Jane Jacobs' most celebrated contributions to cities - her writings and her observations.
While on their Jane's Walk, the students were asked guiding questions to engage their senses about their neighborhood: Where do you like to walk in the neighbourhood? Is there enough room for us on the sidewalk? Who uses this park? Where do bikes get parked? This charming stroll shows that youth can be active members of their communities just by looking and taking notice. Read more about the event here.
The Honourable David Crombie, What We See contributing author and former mayor of Toronto, gave an exclusive video interview in David Crombie Park this weekend on sidewalk culture and Jane Jacobs' living legacy in Toronto.
Crombie is credited for implementing changes in housing, transportation and land-use policy that prompted Toronto's development of a vibrant urban landscape in the 1970s. The park that is his namesake sits amongst the co-op housing he helped put in place while mayor, one of many developments he says were inspired by Jane Jacobs' rigorous intellectual framework for developing cities.
Crack open your new copy of What We See to Crombie's chapter, "Jane Jacobs: The Toronto Experience" to read more about Jane's influence in this Canadian urban hub.
Credit for this video: http://blogs.canoe.ca/canoedossier/arts-alive/david-crombie-talks-jane-jacobs/
Glowing feeback from this weekend’s Jane’s Walks and Rolls have been pouring in from participants all over the world and we had to share some of the excitement in case you missed it. Here are just a few of the comments folks shared after taking part in their neighborhood walks, honoring Jane Jacobs’ legacy.
“Historic District of Old Oakland, California, led by Annalee Allen and Tina Ramos was amazing. Jane would have LOVED it. Good turnout; interesting local people. Annalee does comprehensive research for interesting stories, news clips and historic photos. Beautiful day; not a dull moment.”
—Eve Noman, Oakland, California
“Osborne Village Walk & the Riverview Walk expressed what I feel each day when I walk through our neighbourhood. You can improve your quality of life by enjoying the history and present changes. Savouring the scenery, architecture, the people & nature.”
—Rhonda Dickens, Winnipeg, Manitoba
“A great two days of Jane's Walk in Toronto...these small moments of openness and desire to share the walk with others are the threads that make the fiber of a great city.”
—Amanuel Melles, Toronto, Ontario
To follow the full buzz on Jane’s Walks and the release of What We See online, check out the Jane’s Walk Facebook page.
