Summary
Highlights
In the early 1960s, Robert Moses, a powerful figure in New York's public works for 50 years, aimed to build a superhighway through the heart of Manhattan. He envisioned an eight-lane elevated highway across lower Manhattan, a project that would destroy thousands of historic structures and displace close to 10,000 residents and workers. Moses believed that cities were created for traffic and viewed areas like the West Village and the cast iron district as slums or obstacles to traffic flow. He planned multiple expressways across New York City, including ones through mid-Manhattan and Harlem, believing these were essential for the city's future.
Residents of Greenwich Village, particularly those in the Bronx, united to fight Moses' plans. Their leader was Jane Jacobs, a journalist and mother, who had just published 'The Death and Life of Great American Cities' in 1961. Her book challenged the prevailing orthodoxies of urban planning, which advocated for large-scale urban renewal and the prioritization of the automobile. Jacobs argued that post-World War II planning had destroyed vibrant neighborhoods and emphasized the importance of integrated communities, small-scale buildings, and active street life, which she called 'eyes on the street.'
Jacobs advocated for the inherent order of old cities, which she described as a 'complex order' based on intricate sidewalk use and a constant succession of 'eyes.' Her writing fostered empathy by encouraging people to see and appreciate their own blocks and others. She presented a counter-narrative to traditional urban planning, emphasizing integrated communities where people could walk to work, live in smaller buildings, and interact on vibrant streets. Jacobs was not just a writer but also an activist, participating in demonstrations and public hearings, and leading efforts to block Moses' expressway and roadway plans.
Robert Moses tried to use his power to negate community opposition, believing residents didn't understand their own interests. However, he underestimated the strength of the Greenwich Village community, which had a history of political dissent and experienced organizers. This diverse coalition, including mafiosi, radical Jews, factory owners, and Chinese merchants, united to stop the expressway. Jane Jacobs herself was arrested for inciting a riot at a public hearing, but public support for her actions grew. The battle came to a head at a Board of Estimate meeting on December 11, 1962, where the community passionately argued against Moses' plans.
Jane Jacobs and her allies ultimately prevailed. The Board of Estimate unanimously rejected the Lower Manhattan Expressway proposal. This victory was a crucial turning point, reasserting the value of city blocks and urban public space, and challenging the assumption that 'new' was always better than 'old.' Three years later, this triumph was codified with the establishment of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which saved numerous historic buildings and neighborhoods, including Greenwich Village and Soho, from destruction. Moses, despite his significant contributions to New York's infrastructure, viewed his inability to build through Manhattan as a major failure as he believed that the community wouldn't buy into his vision. Jacobs emphasized that cities are more than just transportation problems, highlighting the importance of community and preservation over unchecked development.
Jane Jacobs, though sometimes regarded as a radical, believed in observation and experiment over abstract theories. She valued creativity and innovation as tools to improve urban life, emphasizing that human capital — skills and experience — grows with use. She remained passionately committed to her work as a writer and educator, viewing her activism as a necessary but often absurd detour when facing threats to beloved neighborhoods. Her legacy led to a street in Ithaca being named after her, intersecting with Misa street, recognizing her significant influence on urban planning and community development.