Writing about present-day urban revitalization projects, George Baird notes that some ideas are "too susceptibly open to co-optation by the contemporary forces of commodification." This applies to the work of pseudo-mythological New York activist Jane Jacobs. Though it's currently the scourge of more leftist urbanist circles, Jacobs' work is not to be associated with its (rightfully hated) misapplications. Her love for the city is so deep as to be religious, and her knowledge of it is the accumulated musings of a lifelong urban monk. Nevermind that a major highway would be tearing through Little Italy a block away if it weren't for her. If you've ever lived in an American city (but especially New York), this book will peel back a layer of mystery you didn't even realize existed, and reveal both the elegant blueprint and the shimmering soul you've always sensed were there. One of the most profoundly impactful books on my life, and an iconic work that goes beyond being a high-water mark for its genre. And now, a good moment to reabsorb the book, as a whole, and heed its revolutionary common sense.
— Gleb
Required reading for anyone who's ever wondered why American cities kind of suck. Jacobs tears back the layers of city life to focus on simple building blocks that make neighborhoods thrive or decline. Though some elements of this book are dated, Jacobs' writing changed the way I view cities.
— Ben