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Governing Magazine - Placemaker Profile: Allan Jacobs
Feature Story:
It takes Great Places to Create Great Cities:What kind of cities do we want to have?
By Ethan Kent
O
ver half the world population now lives in cities, and while these cities are changing and growing at an unprecedented rate, there seems to be little discussion about what we want our cities to be like, or what the public realm can do to make cities great places to live. After all, it is the public spaces-squares, parks, streets, markets and public buildings-that define people's experience of any city. It is in these destinations where we most authentically experience a city, where we feel most connected to something larger, and where we participate most directly in the creation and preservation of culture.
Also in this Issue:
Is Your City a Great City?
Take a look around your town with this checklist, to see how it measures up.
By Ethan Kent and Kathy Madden
How to Revitalize a City
Copenhagen offers lessons in creating exciting public spaces.
By Jan Gehl, Lars Gemzoe, Sia Kirknaes & Britt Sondergaard
The unexpected, amazing revival of the...bicycle
New public bike systems debuting in Paris, Barcelona and other cities mark the dawn of personal rapid transit.
By Eric Britton
Flint Looks to the Future
Once a symbol of urban hopelessness, this feisty town is not willing to give up on its public spaces or itself.
By Lee Burnett
How Great Mayors Enliven Cities
How Joe Riley helped revive Charleston, South Carolina, by listening to people and paying attention to details.
By Jay Walljasper
It takes a Village to Build a Great City
Most of us want to live in places where we can easily walk to stores, restaurants and public spaces. But neighborhoods like these are often illegal under modern zoning codes.
By Jay Walljasper
