Jane Jacobs, RIP

Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, and critic of America’s urban renewal effort that began in the 1950’s, as well as urban planning movements that followed–such as New Urbanism, died today. From the Planetizen tribute:

Legendary urbanist, thinker, writer, and activist Jane Jacobs died today, Tuesday, April 25, 2006. Jacobs, never formally educated or professionally trained in urban planning, came to be the field’s most famous critic and commentator, through her writings and grassroots activism.She inspired countless individuals, re-establishing the importance of citizen participation in community design.

April 25th, 2006