Being human is itself difficult, and therefore all kinds of settlements (except dream cities) have problems. Big cities have difficulties in abundance, because they have people in abundance.
Jane JacobsRead
Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Old concepts can be revitalized in modern contexts, while new ideas often build on previous foundations.
This quote by Jane Jacobs reflects the relationship between innovation and tradition. It suggests that while old ideas can find new expression through modern frameworks, new ideas inherently rely on the groundwork laid by previous thoughts, emphasizing the continuity and evolution of knowledge and architecture in society.
Themes
InnovationTraditionArchitectureIdeasChange
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a discussion about urban planning and redevelopment.
More from Jane Jacobs
All quotes βIt may be that we have become so feckless as a people that we no longer care how things do work, but only what kind of quick, easy outer impression they give. If so, there is little hope for our cities or probably for much else in our society. But I do not think this is so.
Jane JacobsRead
Streets and their sidewalks-the main public places of a city-are its most vital organs.
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(The psuedoscience of planning seems almost neurotic in its determination to imitate empiric failure and ignore empiric success.)
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Whenever and wherever societies have flourished and prospered rather than stagnated and decayed, creative and workable cities have been at the core of the phenomenon. Decaying cities, declining economies, and mounting social troubles travel together. The combination is not coincidental.
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This is what a city is, bits and pieces that supplement each other and support each other.
Jane JacobsRead
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We first observe facts, then generalise, and then draw conclusions or principles.
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