Non-Fiction Book Club -The Death and Life of Great American Cities - Jane Jacobs

Date: Sunday October 5, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Lina's in Britannia

The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

Jane Jacobs was an American-Canadian journalist, author, theorist, and activist whose writings are still very influential in urban planning. This is her best known book. The Jane's Walks that we see all over the world - including Calgary - that showcase unique and interesting elements and neighbourhoods in cities in the form of walking tours - are named after her.

This book was suggested after this group attended a Jane's Walk. I am an urban planner, but I have to admit, I had not taken it upon myself to ever read this book before! I started it a few days ago and I've found it incredibly engaging and still (was published in 1961) so relevant to this day. When she was writing this book, she was living in NYC. She moved to Toronto several years later.

The book has really got me thinking about what makes a successful, safe, interesting and well-used sidewalk, park, and neighbourhood vs. what leads people to avoid some areas. All of the examples that she uses are places that she would have been familiar with in the USA (before she moved to Canada), but I've really been enjoying about how her observations relate to what I observe in Calgary.

I would love to have a discussion on this book, and more broadly, discussions on Calgary and any other places people in the group are familiar with!

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Please send the event host, Sarah, a direct message saying "I'm in" (aka a message confirming that you have every intention of reading the book and attending the discussion) within 48 hours of your RSVP. This helps build the commitment - particularly if we haven't met yet!

It's available at the library, book stores, Audible, and the PDF is found at: https://www.academia.edu/31943664/_Jane_Jacobs_The_Death_and_Life_of_Great_American

As always, we are certainly not going for perfection here! Even if you don't finish it, you will still be able to participate in the discussion as I always try to make the questions relatable. We always appreciate your attendance and your thoughts - presence over perfection :)

No need to feel shy if you’re coming alone. Most members come alone and leave with new found friendships!

Want to be an event host? It's such a fun and rewarding experience! Please message the group owner - Sarah - for further information.

Please ensure you have paid your membership dues - it is set for $5 per per person for 2025. This covers our meetup.com subscription for the year. Please send **$5 to yycwomensgroup@gmail.com** or bring $5. Sarah is tracking in a spreadsheet. Thank you so much for everyone who has contributed!!