Toronto Star

In this city, she is known, simply, as Jane. A year after her death, Jane Jacobs, the pioneering author and urban thinker remains a presence in Toronto. Though born in Scranton, Pa., and a long-time New Yorker, after she moved to Toronto in 1968 she became this city's patron saint as well as its most relentless critic. For Torontonians, her decision to settle here was worn as a badge of honour, one we're still proud to wear. After all, if Jane chose to come to our city, it really must be a great place to live. Well, yes, but the procession of politicians that beat a path to her door usually didn't take her advice. They were always happy to be photographed with her, or to drop her name in speeches, but doing as she said was more difficult.