Vital Little Plans by Jane Jacobs

I just finished Vital Little Plans by Jane Jacobs, a fascinating compilation of many of her articles and speeches on innovative, community based approaches to urban planning. As cities are "marked by both the fattening of the rich and the multiplying of the poor" this book reminds us of Jacobs charge to "reinvigorate the creative, chaotic, improvisational economies of cities."

The book includes Concepts such as "eyes on the street, four generators of city diversity: density, mixed uses, short blocks and cheap old buildings, the sidewalk ballet, city as an ecosystem, poverty has no causes only prosperity has causes, and focus there, cultivate vibrant urban centres, overturn the socioeconomic status quo, create a web of trust, guardians / government versus traders / business, problem of ample money for building things and little money for running things," etc. Her disdain for planners and bureaucracy comes through loud and clear as does her belief in the market and vital little plans for businesses and city solutions. Great book on a cold weekend.