Jane Jacobs: Parting Words (2007) from Kevin Balmer on Vimeo.This longer (20 min) video captures Jane Jacobs in one of her last public appearances in Portland Oregon. On tour to promote her book, Dark Age Ahead (2004), Jacobs discusses the imperative for culturally diverse and innovative cities, among many other issues.

I was lucky enough to meet Jane Jacobs on another stop of this tour, in Ottawa, Canada.  Despite being somewhat frail physically, she was full of passion and metal sharpness. But what I remember most about her is her matter of fact way of speaking and the easy way she related to her audience.

“Parting Words” (2007) explores passages from her seminal work, The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961). It looks at Jacobs through the eyes of leading Oregon planners and highlights her clear-eyed perspectives on the problems and opportunities facing American cities. The film demonstrates Jane Jacobs’ long and abiding influence on urban design and planning.

Jane Jacobs: Parting Words (2007) from Kevin Balmer on Vimeo.

The film was written and narrated by Chet Orloff, Director, Pamplin Institute & Collection; PSU Adj. Prof. Urban Studies and Planning; President, Oregon History Works/Museum of the City; Director Emeritus, Oregon Historical Society.  It was produced and directed by Kevin Balmer, PSU Master of Urban and Regional Planning Graduate (2006); Diggable Films.  The music is by Solovox.

Found via Jane’s Walk USA.