Citizen Jane: Battle for the City

Revisiting the herculean tussle between NY city architect Robert Moses and campaigner Jane Jacobs.

“There is no logic that can be superimposed on the city; people make it, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans.” – Jane Jacobs

While Birmingham’s own demolition derby was in full swing, New York was also taking a car-driven, year-zero approach to its post-war planning. Their Manzoni was Robert Moses, a ‘master builder’ who wielded enormous power for decades, but who met his match in author and activist Jane Jacobs. This compelling documentary recounts their battle over Greenwich Village, and shows how this battle still shapes our cities today.

Preceded by a short introduction from architect Joe Holyoak, who will talk about Jane Jacobs' enduring influence on the way we view the urban space.