This month marks the 100th anniversary of Jane Jacobs, a champion for quality city and urban design. She was a Canadian and influenced generations of urban planners to strive towards creating better neighbourhoods. Her central idea was that neighbourhoods should be walkable, with diverse structures for all kinds of use and interaction. She believed that everyday citizens knew their neighbourhoods best – and could come up with the most useful ideas. Jane Jacobs was revolutionary in an age of urban sprawl and cookie-cutter neighbourhoods, she envisioned a world where people would be better connected and where people could find life in the places where they live.
Jane Jacobs believed that people like you and me have a lot to say about how our neighbourhoods grow and thrive. She said, “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” So if everyone plays a role in creating healthy and vibrant cities, then where do we start? For thousands around the world, it starts with a walk.
“Jane’s Walk” is, “a movement of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by Jane Jacobs. The walks get people to tell stories about their communities, explore their cities, and connect with neighbours.” Essentially, Jane’s Walk is an opportunity to have a guided tour of your very own neighbourhood – to hear the stories, learn about features, and connect with other neighbours who live nearby. The idea is this: walk, observe, and connect.
In many ways, a Jane’s Walk is very simple, and that’s why over 40,000 people have participated, in 134 countries around the world. They often take place in early May, in celebration of Jane Jacob’s birthday, however they have grown in popularity because they have lived up to Jacob’ dream – they have the power to connect people to each other and to their neighbourhood.
Since anyone can host a Jane’s Walk, then maybe that anyone is you. People who host a Jane’s Walk try to find a creative angle, some theme or series of stories that best tell the history of their neighbourhood. Walks usually last less than two hours, and hosts will invite other neighbourhood ‘experts’ to tell a story or two along the way. Participants get to know their neighbours and get a chance to share their stories, too.
Did you know that you can live in a city your entire life and never experience certain places, hear the local folk-lore, and meet the most interesting people? This is why movements like Jane’s Walk have become so important around the world. They are reconnecting people to their city and creating a culture of story-sharing.
Philip Pullman once said, “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” How are you hearing and telling the stories of your neighbourhood?
To learn more about Jane’s Walk, and to think of ways of starting one in Chestermere, visit janeswalk.org or janejacobswalk.squarespace.com.
