This document summarizes an analysis of Jane Jacobs' theory presented in her book "The Death and Life of Great American Cities". Jacobs criticized flawed principles of city planning that she believed harmed cities. She argued planners prioritized automobiles over communities. The theory outlined how vibrant neighborhoods resulted from community interaction, not bankers' views of areas as "slums". Jacobs saw cars as a symptom, not the cause, of city problems and suggested alternative principles of city planning.

1. THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC2224)
Project: Theorizing Architecture
Part I: Analyzing “Through the eyes" of an architect/urban designer/ theoretician
Members: Ch'ng Xing Yue
Chin Pui Man
Wesley Hew Xin Han
Tutor: Pn. Nor Hayati
Location: Puchong
Proposed site area

2. Photo source: http://www.ioiproperties.com.my/Bandar-Puchong-Jaya/?project=109

3. Urban Theorist: Jane Jacobs
Theory: The death and life of great American cities.
Under this theory, Jane Jacobs wants to introduce new city principles, giving a fresh new
perspective into the issues of urban planning. She listed her theory into four parts, which
are;
1. Examination of city planning errors
2. Study of the economics behind city error
3. Highlighting the decline with regeneration (Slumming and unslumming)
4. Suggestions for city errors Jacobs listed
In conclusion:
• Jacobs saw the principles that underlie city planning as flawed and detrimental to
cities.
• Small businesses are ruined and families become uprooted—Expressway
construction was cited as one factor.
• Banker may consider a particular area to be a slum; however, it may actually be a
thriving neighborhood. Refusal of banks to give out loans to such areas, so the
vibrancy of the neighborhood is a result of community interaction.
• Planners are more concerned with automobiles—they see cars as both a cause of
city decay and a needed commodity. Jacobs see cars as a symptom of city
problems, not the source.

4. References:
1. The Maryland Institute College of Art (February 2008). An Introduction to Jane
Jacobs, The Death and Life of American Cities. Available at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e5se7e6700sa9cz/AADX7mE-
d08HljeoLckTmcZ6a/Jacobs-MICA.pdf?dl=0. [Last Accessed 3 April 2015].
2. Project for Public Spaces (e.g. 2011). Bigraphy of Jane Jacobs. Available at:
http://www.pps.org/reference/jjacobs-2/. [Last Accessed 4 April 2015].
3. Matthias Wendt (2009). The Importance of Death and Life of Great American
Cities (1961). Available at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e5se7e6700sa9cz/AADtjd9UsdKe-
0YNRUot2L7Oa/The%20Importance%20of%20Dealth%20and%20Life%20Final
.pdf?dl=0. [Last Accessed 5 April 2015].
4. David Ellerman (March 2004 ). Jane Jacobs on Development. Available at:
http://www.giszpenc.com/globalciv/ellerman1.pdf. [Last Accessed 3 April 2015].
5. Gene Callahan (June 2003). Jane Jacobs, The Anti-Planner. Available at:
http://mises.org/library/jane-jacobs-anti-planner. [Last Accessed 4 April 2015].
6. Susan Bertolino (August 2012). The Death and Life of American Cities What Jane
Jacobs saw and what we see today. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/SusanBER/the-death-and-life-of-american-cities-
13946218. [Last Accessed 4 April 2015].