What's New

Akron will hold its second Jane’s Walk on May 1-3, 2015 for the purpose of promoting a more pedestrian-friendly environment in the Greater Akron area. The Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) and Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) are teaming up for this event and are seeking Walk Leaders at this time.

What is Jane’s Walk?

Jane’s Walk is an international festival of free, volunteer-led urban walks that honor the legacy and ideas of urbanist and iconic writer, Jane Jacobs, who lived from 1916-2006. Jane lived in Greenwich Village for decades, then moved to Toronto in 1968 where she continued her work and writing on urbanism, economies, and social issues until her death in April, 2006.

The walks began in Toronto in 2007 as a tribute to Jane’s idea that “cities can provide something for everybody only when they are created by everybody.” The walking tours serve to promote a more pedestrian-friendly environment that are led by locals who want to create a space for residents to talk about what matters to them in the places they live and work. Each walk guide offers their insight along the route, and encourages the public to weigh in. The walks are a rewarding experience and a constant reminder that citizens want to be engaged in their city.  Through the simple act of walking and talking, the festival creates space for people to connect, share, and develop ideas about where their communities and cities are at and where they are headed.

Jane was one of the first to introduce the concept of planning at street level – to consider how people would interact with grand scale sites.

In 2014, more than 1,000 walks were held in over 130 cities in 25 countries worldwide across 6 continents.  For more information on how to lead a Jane’s Walk, check out this presentation or email or call Phyllis Jividen at 330-375-2436.

For more details, visit www.janeswalk.org