Jane Jacobs was an American-Canadian journalist and activist addressing a wide range of topics, including architecture, economics, and sociology. Her most famous text id “The Death and Life of Great American Cities.” Jacob’s writing style is engaging because she doesn’t write like an architect or even an activist for that matter, but she explains her life experience. She speaks about actual urban context, not just assuming there will be human interaction, but truly understanding and teaching that interaction in human terms. She uses many descriptive phrases making a unique read, making the reader decipher and create their meaning. While still being a respected activist in multiple communities, she doesn’t attack the city itself but relates to a middle class “normal” American citizen. I find this beneficial because she helps you understand her side through her eyes, slowly guiding the readers thought along a loose rope. Criticism for her writing style is that it can sometimes be hard to interpret for the reader because of a fault in connection to specific phrases. This can be caused by many different qualities of demographics, including age, intelligence, and even culture itself. Although exciting and guiding to the reader, the writing style can be hard to follow. Over years of experience, Jane Jacobs has formulated the layout of prosperous American cities and the principles that destroy and create great American cities. She doesn’t attack style; she demonstrates the negatives of the principles taught across America. She gives a refreshing new outlook on cities, because of her experience outside the world of architecture. She was never taught the Orthodox approach of urban planning, further stopping her limitation of ideals.
