“What Would Jane Jacobs Do?” Is the Wrong Question
09.18.2024
Proponents of City of Yes are misapplying her ideas (again).
Proponents of City of Yes are misapplying her ideas (again).
Roberta Brandes Gratz
Jane Jacobs Would Reject NYC’s Proposed “City of Yes”
07.22.2024
YIMBYS get a lot wrong about the legendary citizen planner.
YIMBYS get a lot wrong about the legendary citizen planner.
Developers Are Dangerously in Control of New York City
04.23.2024
Urbanist Roberta Brandes Gratz’s remarks on receiving the Preservation Leadership Award.
Urbanist Roberta Brandes Gratz’s remarks on receiving the Preservation Leadership Award.
The Making of Pontchartrain Park in New Orleans
03.07.2024
How a pair of wealthy outsiders, Edith and Edgar Stern, helped inspire the first neighborhood development exclusively available to Black middle-class families.
How a pair of wealthy outsiders, Edith and Edgar Stern, helped inspire the first neighborhood development exclusively available to Black middle-class families.
The Uneven—but Important—Legacy of Prince Charles, Architecture Critic
07.19.2023
While his design prescriptions were too narrow, his critique of modern planning principles still holds resonance.
While his design prescriptions were too narrow, his critique of modern planning principles still holds resonance.
In His Plans for New York, Vornado’s Steven Roth Is Channeling Robert Moses
09.12.2022
Declaring the area around Penn Station “blighted” is a cynical ploy.
Declaring the area around Penn Station “blighted” is a cynical ploy.
William H. Whyte: Still Relevant After All These Years
03.21.2022
A new biography about the brilliant urbanist reveals why his radical vision is as necessary today as it was in the second half of the 20th century.
A new biography about the brilliant urbanist reveals why his radical vision is as necessary today as it was in the second half of the 20th century.
New York City Promises Affordability Through Rezoning But Delivers Gentrification
04.26.2021
The Gaslighting of SoHo, NoHo, and Chinatown.
The Gaslighting of SoHo, NoHo, and Chinatown.
Post-Covid New York and the Rebirth of the Regional City
02.16.2021
There are important implications for downtowns across the country.
There are important implications for downtowns across the country.
The Ambiguous Urban Legacy of Ed Logue
01.26.2020
A new biography by Lizabeth Cohen sheds light on this controversial planner.
A new biography by Lizabeth Cohen sheds light on this controversial planner.
Neal R. Peirce: The Man Who Championed—and Helped Save—the American City
01.06.2020
A tribute to a writer who believed in the power of authentic community engagement.
A tribute to a writer who believed in the power of authentic community engagement.
Governor Cuomo’s and Mayor de Blasio’s Grovelling to Amazon Demeans New York
03.07.2019
The recent debacle was merely the culmination of a decades-long appeasement to corporations and developers.
The recent debacle was merely the culmination of a decades-long appeasement to corporations and developers.
An Amazon Correction: The City Won—and the Company Isn’t Going Anywhere
02.18.2019
Cancelling the construction of an anti-urban campus is not the same as pulling out of the city.
Cancelling the construction of an anti-urban campus is not the same as pulling out of the city.
Will Detroit Ever Fully Recover From John Portman’s Renaissance Center?
09.07.2018
In cities all over the country, his projects consistently failed to live up to their promise.
In cities all over the country, his projects consistently failed to live up to their promise.
A Critical Reassessment of John Portman? No, His Buildings Were Resolutely Anti-Urban
08.28.2018
The recent recalibration of the late architect’s legacy is completely misguided.
The recent recalibration of the late architect’s legacy is completely misguided.
The Greenwich Village Apartments Created by Jane Jacobs Are Threatened With Demolition
11.07.2017
The story of how a Jacobs-led community group overcome official opposition to create an alternative to urban renewal.
The story of how a Jacobs-led community group overcome official opposition to create an alternative to urban renewal.
What Jane Jacobs and the Founders of the High Line Have in Common
04.17.2017
The new documentary reminds us about the importance of local input and activism.
The new documentary reminds us about the importance of local input and activism.
How to Prevent the Mauling and Malling of New York
11.02.2016
A manifesto for a more human—and more human scaled—city.
A manifesto for a more human—and more human scaled—city.
More Thoughts on Jane Jacobs from One of Her Closest Collaborators
08.25.2016
Author Roberta Brandes Gratz clears up some misperceptions about the legendary urbanist.
Author Roberta Brandes Gratz clears up some misperceptions about the legendary urbanist.
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