Cities Quote by Jane Jacobs
![“[Public housing projects] are not lacking in natural leaders,' [Ellen Lurie, a social worker in East Harlem] says. 'They contain people with real ability, wonderful people many of them, but the typical sequence is that in the course of organization leaders have found each other, gotten all…” quote by Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f6c/jane-jacobs-1991_68_public-housing-projects-are-not-lacking_2422878.jpg)
““[Public housing projects] are not lacking in natural leaders,' [Ellen Lurie, a social worker in East Harlem] says. 'They contain people with real ability, wonderful people many of them, but the typical sequence is that in the course of organization leaders have found each other, gotten all involved in each others' social lives, and have ended up talking to nobody but each other. They have not found their followers. Everything tends to degenerate into ineffective cliques, as a natural course. There is no normal public life. Just the mechanics of people learning what s going on is so difficult. It all makes the simplest social gain extra hard for these people.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, 1961
Community leaders often form tight groups, neglecting broader public engagement, leading to ineffective cliques.
In simple terms: Leaders can become isolated cliques.
Key Takeaway
Foster inclusive participation beyond close circles.
Themes
community
leadership
social dynamics
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- neighborhood meetings
- public forums
- community projects
Key Concepts
urban sociology
group behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you reach beyond existing networks?
- What structures encourage wider involvement?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming entrenched social hierarchies is challenging.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
