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

Planetizen Unveils Its Top 100 Urban Thinkers

0433_12innova.jpgJane Jacobs. Photo: BusinessWeek

She may be experiencing an intellectual reconsideration in some corners, but Jane Jacobs is still a beloved figure for the urban planners and designers of Planetizen.

After a month-long online poll that saw more than 14,000 votes cast, the site released its list of the "Top 100 Urban Thinkers" today -- and Jane was at the top. Her longtime antagonist Robert Moses came in at No. 23, nine spots ahead of current New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.

Other notables singled out by Planetizen readers include Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York's Central Park (No. 4), Enrique Penalosa, Bogota's former mayor and a dedicated proponent of bus rapid transit (No. 14), and Kaid Benfield, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's smart growth program (No. 42).

Check out the complete top 100 right here. Is anyone missing, or should anyone be ranked higher than they are?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

City Council to Bring Back Year-Round Outdoor Dining After Adams-Era Decimation

New Council Speaker Julie Menin wants to scrap Adams-era rules that shrunk the program to just 400 approved locations from a pandemic era high of 8,000.

February 4, 2026

Meet Steve Fulop, Corporate New York’s New Mouthpiece

Streetsblog sat down with former Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop last week to discuss his new role at the Partnership for New York City.

February 4, 2026

Promising E-Bike Subsidy Pilot Is Denied Funding By State Agency

New York City's first e-bike subsidy program is stalled after not receiving state funding for implementation.

February 4, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: Nothingburger From The Albany Sausage Grinder Edition

OK, so the transportation hearing was a bust, but two groups questioned the governor's car insurance proposal, so that's a start. Plus other news.

February 4, 2026

Cyclists in Criminal Court Say Mamdani’s Bike Crackdown is a ‘Waste of Time’

The hearings reveal that the mayor's promise to end criminal summonsing against cyclists has not been kept.

February 3, 2026

‘Lowballing Victims’: Crash Survivors Furious At Hochul’s Car Insurance Proposal

Crash victims and a key state lawmaker are not yet sold on Hochul's car insurance scheme, and hope that the state listens.

February 3, 2026
See all posts