Jane Jacobs, Economic Guru?

Jacobs' ideas about urban planning bumped her to the top of her Top Urban Thinkers list, but economists are turning to her other books to rethink local economies.

1 minute read

October 26, 2009, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

In Cities and the Wealth of Nations, Jacobs puts forward the idea that cities make a significant error when they invest in attracting large corporations rather than small, local businesses.

From the Miller/McCune article: "People in economic policy and development are looking carefully at Jacobs' work," says David Boyle, an author and researcher at the New Economics Foundation, a London-based independent economic think tank. "She's been very influential, but subtly so. People aren't always aware of where the ideas come from. This is true from the right and left."

FULL STORY: What Jane Jacobs Can Teach Us About the Economy

Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Miller-McCune

Community / Economic Development United States Economic Development Jane Jacobs

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.