Eyes on the Street and Urban Vitality
거리의 눈
An urban sociological theory positing that public safety and urban vitality emerge not from centralized planning or policing, but from dense, mixed-use street life and natural mutual surveillance by pedestrians and shopkeepers.
| Field | Geography · Sociology |
|---|---|
| Level of analysis | Micro · Individual |
| Paradigm | Phenomenology Symbolic Interactionism |
| Key figures | 👤 Jane Jacobs (제인 제이콥스) |
| Year | 1961 |
Key Claims
Jane Jacobs mounted a landmark critique against modernist urban planning and large-scale clearance projects. She demonstrated that vibrant urban ecosystems require mixed primary uses, short blocks, buildings of varying ages, and high pedestrian density. These conditions cultivate a continuous sidewalk ballet where shopkeepers and residents maintain natural ‘eyes on the street’, creating safe, resilient, and socially cohesive communities.
Further Reading
- Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Random House.
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