A new study from Italy, using an innovative mix of data
drawn from social media, mobile phones, and more conventional sources, has
provided empirical support for some of the key concepts that Jane Jacobs put
forward and that have become core tenets of urban planners.
According to a report in the MIT Technology Review (here), a team from the University of Trento
examined data from six cities in Italy to compare urban vitality levels with
measurements of density of population, diversity of land use, and density of
the street grid. What they found
were strong correlations.
The takeaway for planners: First, Jane Jacobs’ writing looks
better than ever and, second, a “new era of city science” can help create vital
living spaces.
The takeaway for transportation planners (quoted from the
original study): “Vibrant urban areas are those with dense streets, which, in
fact, slow down cars and make it easier for pedestrians to cross.”
