Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

One of the most influential urban thinkers, writers, and activists of the 20th century dies at age 89 in Toronto, Canada.

"I enthusiastically endorse the campaign to close Central Park's loop drive to regular automobile traffic. We had the same sort of fight in Washington Square Park in the late 1950s and in my neighborhood here in Toronto a couple of years ago: same prediction of traffic chaos, same result of no chaos, diminished traffic counts and no counts increased elsewhere in consequence. Isn't it curious that traffic engineers are so loath to learn something new even after repeated demonstrations?"

--Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, and Systems of Survival.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Byford Hopes Cash-Strapped NYC Will Help Fund Trump’s Penn Station Rehab

The Trump administration controls the future of Penn Station — but wants New York to pay for it.

January 29, 2026

Delivery Workers Are the Safest Cyclists On the Road, Study Finds

A new study from sociology researchers at Hunter College embraces e-bikes.

January 29, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines: A Sketchy Case Edition

Congestion pricing looks like it'll be safe, thanks to flimsy arguments from President Trump's lawyers. Plus other news.

January 29, 2026

How to Use Data to Fight For Safe Streets and Stop Super Speeders

College coders built a simple tool for DMV staff and administrators to identify repeat dangerous speeding behavior.

January 29, 2026

‘Gateway’ Drug: Trump Is Holding the Second Avenue Subway Hostage

The president blocked funds for the Second Avenue Subway during the government shutdown in October — and the MTA has still not received the money, sources said.

January 28, 2026

TRAIN IN VAIN: Amtrak Pulls Plug On Metro-North Expansion

All aboard? Not so fast. Amtrak is putting the brakes on an expansion of the Metro-North that would have extended service to Albany.

January 28, 2026
See all posts