What We See: Advancing the Observations of Jane Jacobs - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 098155931X ISBN 13: 9780981559315

Publisher: New Village Press, 2010

Synopsis

A timely revisitation of renowned urbanist-activist Jane Jacobs' lifework, What We See invites thirty pundits and practitioners across fields to refresh Jacobs' economic, social and urban planning theories for the present day. Combining personal and professional observations with meditations on Jacobs' insights, essayists bring their diverse experience to bear to sketch the blueprints for the living city.
The book models itself after Jacobs' collaborative approach to city and community building, asking community members and niche specialists to share their knowledge with a broader community, to work together toward a common goal of building the 21st-century city.
The resulting collection of original essays expounds and expands Jacobs' ideas on the qualities of a vibrant, robust urban area. It offers the generalist, the activist, and the urban planner practical examples of the benefits of planning that encourages community participation, pedestrianism, diversity, environmental responsibility, and self-sufficiency.
Bob Sirman, director of the Canada Council for the Arts, describes how built form should be an embodiment of a community narrative. Daniel Kemmis, former Mayor of Missoula, shares an imagined dialog with Jacobs, discussing the delicate interconnection between cities and their surrounding rural areas. And Roberta Brandes Gratz?urban critic, author, and former head of Public Policy of the New York State Preservation League?asserts the importance of architectural preservation to environmentally sound urban planning practices.
What We See asks us all to join the conversation about next steps for shaping socially just, environmentally friendly, and economically prosperous urban communities.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Thirty-five contemporary thinkers offer insight into the workings of vibrant, ecological, equitable communities and their economies.

Advance Praise for What We See

"It's as if Jane Jacobs' bright eye hadn't dimmed... In the hands of this book's essay writers, new thoughts sprout, all as true to Jane's spirit and inventive urbanity as the gardens (intellectual and physical) she cultivated in her lifetime."
--Neal Peirce, journalist and Chair, The Citistates Group; author, Boundary Crossers

"In this book are the testimonials of 'Jane's children'... building on what she began back in the '60s. It's taken a long time, but it's happening."
--David Byrne, musician, artist and author, Bicycle Diaries

"A delicious international and interdisciplinary banquet of offerings to honor the passionate and multifaceted work of our beloved urbanist, Jane Jacobs."
--Wendy Sarkissian, author, Kitchen Table Sustainability and Creative Community Planning

"How can one resist cheering on this urban original?... We see how Jane Jacobs and our neighborhoods live on through her ideas."
--Victor S. Navasky, Publisher Emeritus, The Nation, and author, A Matter of Opinion

"The reflections on this remarkable woman, and the still-unfolding project of city-building today, are a joy to read."
--Anthony Flint, author, Wrestling with Moses

"The essayists in What We See have built on those essential footholds that people who have never heard of Jane Jacobs will benefit them for decades."
--Majora Carter, founder, Sustainable South Bronx, and winner, Rachel Carson Award

"A moving and enlightening tribute to the ideas and methods of Jane Jacobs... that will inspire others to observe closely, contemplate broadly, and engage civically."
--Glenna Lang, co-author, Genius of Common Sense

"There is no better starting place for re-evaluating tomorrow's complex cities than this book, which is full of the wisdom and insight Jane Jacobs so astutely taught us... Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"
--Fred Kent, President, Project for Public Spaces|
Thirty-five contemporary thinkers offer insight into the workings of vibrant, ecological, equitable communities and their economies.

Advance Praise for What We See

"It's as if Jane Jacobs' bright eye hadn't dimmed... In the hands of this book's essay writers, new thoughts sprout, all as true to Jane's spirit and inventive urbanity as the gardens (intellectual and physical) she cultivated in her lifetime."
--Neal Peirce, journalist and Chair, The Citistates Group; author, Boundary Crossers

"In this book are the testimonials of 'Jane's children'... building on what she began back in the '60s. It's taken a long time, but it's happening."
--David Byrne, musician, artist and author, Bicycle Diaries

"A delicious international and interdisciplinary banquet of offerings to honor the passionate and multifaceted work of our beloved urbanist, Jane Jacobs."
--Wendy Sarkissian, author, Kitchen Table Sustainability and Creative Community Planning

"How can one resist cheering on this urban original?... We see how Jane Jacobs and our neighborhoods live on through her ideas."
--Victor S. Navasky, Publisher Emeritus, The Nation, and author, A Matter of Opinion

"The reflections on this remarkable woman, and the still-unfolding project of city-building today, are a joy to read."
--Anthony Flint, author, Wrestling with Moses

"The essayists in What We See have built on those essential footholds that people who have never heard of Jane Jacobs will benefit them for decades."
--Majora Carter, founder, Sustainable South Bronx, and winner, Rachel Carson Award

"A moving and enlightening tribute to the ideas and methods of Jane Jacobs... that will inspire others to observe closely, contemplate broadly, and engage civically."
--Glenna Lang, co-author, Genius of Common Sense

"There is no better starting place for re-evaluating tomorrow's complex cities than this book, which is full of the wisdom and insight Jane Jacobs so astutely taught us... Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"
--Fred Kent, President, Project for Public Spaces

From the Inside Flap

Leading thinkers observe our world with a candor that honors Jane Jacobs' honest way of looking.
 
More than thirty notable minds from diverse fields offer timely, original essays that update the insights of urbanist-activist Jane Jacobs. Through an enlivening discussion of critical issues affecting our cities and economies, What We See combines fresh reflection on Jacobs' views with the unique personal and professional experience of each author.
 
Turning an eye to their own streets and concerns, contributing essayists explore the essential components of vibrant neighborhoods: interconnectivity, cultural and economic diversity, walkability, mixed-use design, civic participation, and environmental responsibility.
 
What We See carries on the brilliance and truthfulness of Jane Jacobs, who set twentieth century city planning on its head by observing that the best-informed adviser in matters of planning and policy is the community itself. Anyone seeking inspiration and common sense for bringing cities and their economies back from the edge will appreciate What We See. Its ideas prompt us all to join the conversation about next steps for shaping socially just, environmentally friendly, and economically prosperous communities.

Edition details

• Publisher: New Village Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 098155931X
• ISBN 13: 9780981559315
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384
• Editor: Goldsmith Stephen A., Elizabeth Lynne, Arlene Goldbard