City walk with Ned Jacobs

As part of a global excursion from a German Spatial Planning student group, Ned Jacob, the son of famous urban activist Jane Jacobs guided a walking tour through Mount Pleasant.

The tour started at Main Street Science World, where Ned met the students before hopping onto the busy #3 bus bringing us all down to 22^nd street. While on the bus, Ned explained the significant elements of that area and what importance it played in the commercial development of Vancouver in early 1900. One speculation was that Mount Pleasant would indeed develop as Vancouver’s fashionable ‘uptown’ as its early industrial expansion brought also community facilities and residential prestige.

Ned took the group from one side street to the next, pointing at Heritage Buildings and explained how to recognize ones from 1930’s to 1960’s. He was factual and precise about the way buildings were placed in the lot during certain times and what city regulations had shaped the way houses are built now.

As Jane Jacobs is one of Gerben’s early inspirations for the way he looks at, designs and plans for sustainable cities and communities, we were happy to take part in Ned’s walk and continue spreading Jane Jacobs message and progressive approach to urban development.