Jane’s Walk History

Jane’s Walk honours the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs who championed the interests of local residents and pedestrians over a car-centered approach to planning. Jane’s Walk often takes Jacobs’ ideas to communities unfamiliar with her ideas, in order to advance local engagement with contemporary urban planning practices.

Jane’s Walk was inaugurated on May 5, 2007 in Toronto by a group of Jane’s friends and colleagues who wanted to honour her ideas and legacy.  Mayor David Miller declared it Jane Jacobs Day and twenty-seven local guides offered an insider’s take on the neighbourhoods where they work, socialize and live.

It expanded to New York City that fall and across Canada in 2008, exceeding all expectations: thousands of enthusiastic participants strolled through 141 neighbourhoods in eleven Canadian cities.

In the Toronto Area, there were 69 walking tours, plus six student-led tours developed through the Jane’s Walk School Edition. In 2009, Jane’s Walk expanded again across the continent, adding partner cities such as Montreal, Regina, New York, Chicago and New Orleans, and a tour in Mumbai, India.  Over 350 walks were offered, in 46 cities involving more than 10,000 walkers. In 2010 Jane’s Walk is due to expand again with new partners already on board in such cities as Dublin, Los Angeles, Saskatoon and Kamloops.

The walks help knit people together into a strong and resourceful community, instilling belonging and encouraging civic leadership.

The main Jane’s Walk event takes place annually on the first weekend of May, to coincide with Jane Jacobs’ birthday.