Jane Jacobs Toronto

The Pilgrimage to Jane Jacobs

Jane Jacobs was a noted urbanist, writer and activist whose book The Death and Life of Great American Cities has become the go-to tome for community planning and urban development.

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Like the Camino de Santiago, there are prescribed stops on the pilgrimage to Jane Jacobs, including her two former residences in Toronto and New York City.

Since I explored her ‘hood in New York’s Greenwich Village last year, I needed to visit her former home in Toronto’s Annex to complete my journey and close the circle. With family waiting in the van, this would be the world’s fastest micro-exploration, leaving plenty for later (solo) visits to the neighbourhood.

Jane Jacobs Toronto
555 Hudson Street in The Annex, Toronto
Jane Jacobs Toronto
The shrine of Jane Jacobs in Toronto
A remnant of Canada's Centennial in 1967
A remnant of Canada’s Centennial in 1967
Jane Jacobs Toronto
Not yet spring and the cyclists are out and about
Jane Jacobs Toronto
Appropriate signage particularly because The Annex was the one-time home of nearly 20,000 Americans avoiding the Vietnam draft

I negotiated a few more minutes and headed to Bloor Street. It was exactly as I expected it would be: lively, multicultural, pedestrian-friendly, full of cyclists, an eclectic foodie and entertainment haven and a street art feast for the eyes. It is a microcosm of the spirit of Toronto life and no poor cousin to Greenwich Village.

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

Jane Jacobs Toronto

The 2016 Jane’s Walk will be held the weekend of May 6th to 8th in cities and towns around the world. For more information click here.

Other Habicurious pieces on Jane Jacobs

Parks By (and For) the People

#BeLikeJane

Walking Jane Jacobs’ Hood

Jane’s Walk Burritt’s Rapids May 2 & 3 2015