More Wisdom from Jane Jacobs

As I make my way through Jane Jacobs’ 1961 classic, “Death and Life of Great American Cities.” I realize just how fucking brilliant this woman is!

“Probably everyone is aware of certain general descriptions by a city on its heart. When a city heart stagnates or disintegrates, a city as a social neighborhood of the whole begins to suffer: People who ought to get together, by means of central activities that are failing, fail get together. Ideas and money that ought to meet, and do so often only by happenstance in a place of central vitality, fail to meet. The networks of city public life develop gaps they cannot afford. Without a strong and inclusive central heart, a city tends to become a collection of interests isolated from one another. It falters at producing something greater, socially, culturally, and economically, than the sum of its separated parts.”

This really deep stuff. It is taking me much longer to read this book than I usually spend – mostly because I’m finding myself reading a good many paragraphs several times to fully grasp all that she talks about. Thinking back to see if what she says rings true based on my personal experiences and so far she has been dead on. I only wish this book had been forced reading for every high school student in America. If so, we might live in a much different society?

But, no point crying over spilled soy milk, right? We’ve got the lessons now we must apply them. If that means electing new leaders then so be it. Mayor Slay – time to send you back to the family trucking business.

You aldermen need show more understanding of urbanity and cut out this “aldermanic courtesy” shit that removes all accountability. Don’t vote in favor of another alderman’s ward-destroying project so that alderman will vote in favor of your ward-destroying project. You are not helping anyone but yourselves!