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Jane Jacobs Day 2023

Join us for the Garden Museum’s inaugural Jane Jacobs Day, a day of activities celebrating the renowned urban theorist, writer, and activist Jane Jacobs, most famously known for her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961).

Join us for a day of activities including a Jane Walk, a community workshop, and an evening panel discussion on London’s future, to commemorate the outstanding contribution Jane Jacobs made to urban studies, sociology, economics, and activism.

Programme

5pm – Branch Out | A walk with Will Self: Book Here

As part of our celebrations for Jane Jacobs Day, join novelist, journalist, and former political commentator Will Self in exploring the Garden Museum’s historic neighbourhood. Close to the heart of the city, the identity of Vauxhall and Lambeth morphs with its everchanging landscape and demographic. An island wedged between the river Thames and the busy roads of South London, it is often understood as a transitionary space as opposed to a place you would stop in. However, as attendees will learn through exploring our colourful neighbourhood, there is more than meets the eye in the spaces in between.

7pm – Ideas for a Greener London: Book Tickets

We will be remembering the work of writer, urban theorist, and activist Jane Jacobs with a panel discussion chaired by Evan Davis. The panel will present ideas of how they envision a brighter, greener, and better future for London. Speakers include architect Alex Arestis on the development of an urban arboretum; academic Dr Morag Rose on walking together to shape the planet; geographer Oli Mould on the futures of golf courses and community gardens; writer George Hudson on the importance of connected thinking between gardeners, designers and decision makers; architect Mary Duggan on architectural procurement; @fungi.futures founder Maymana Arefin on mycelium networks and their liberatory futures; and founding director of Create Streets Nicholas Boys Smith on happy and prosperous neighbourhoods.

This event has been made possible with the generous support of Alan Leibowitz and Barbara Weiss.

Image: Jane Jacobs, chairman of the Comm. to save the West Village holds up documentary evidence at press conference at Lions Head Restaurant at Hudson & Charles Sts (1961), New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection, Library of Congress (WikiCommons)