The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs bravely criticizes urban decision-makers whose ideas and technological developments in urban planning did great damage to cities by the loss of human interaction and the increase in crime. Jane asks urban decision-makers to retain common sense, personal experience, and thorough understanding of the cities in their work. She perceives the city as a biological organism whose nourishment and survival requires circulation. Similarly, the health of the city is sustained by a circulatory system of the population who actively transfers different ideas and innovations along the streets. If there are too many obstacles in the way, the city cannot flourish or grow strong in any of its parts. Three things that are central to maintain the circulation and therefore the health of the city are density, diversity, and accessibility.

An efficient circulatory system is essential to the city...