City Quote by Jane Jacobs
““Cities are not ordained; they are wholly existential. To say that a city grew “because” it was located at a good site for trading is, in view of what we can see in the real world, absurd. Few resources in this world are more common than good sites for trading but most of the settlements that form at these good sites do not become cities.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities, 1961
Cities develop through complex social, economic, and cultural forces, not just geographic advantage.
In simple terms: Cities grow because of many factors, not just location.
Key Takeaway
Consider all influences when planning urban growth.
Themes
urban planning
social dynamics
economics
geography
complexity
Mood
analytical
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- city development
- policy making
- real estate investment
- community building
Key Concepts
systems theory
path dependence
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑geographic factors most shape a city’s success?
- How can planners foster those factors?
A Different Perspective
Location alone cannot guarantee city status; other conditions must align.
![“[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world... Land, labor, and capital are extremely heterogeneous aggregates, not much better than earth, air, fire, and water.” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47e/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_air_in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-ch_12383.jpg)
