ABSTRACT
The Death and Life of Great American Cities is Jacobs's most influential book. It was published in the United States in 1961 and has been a classic ever since. A more fundamental critique came from Herbert Gans, the sociologist who foresaw that Death and Life would become a classic. He stated that the analysis of Jacobs was based on three principles such as people like diversity, diversity brings about vitality, and the physical environment determines human behavior. In addition, a reviewer criticized Jacobs for her neglect of urban challenges, such as diseases, poverty, and crime. The popularity of Jacobs in the Netherlands is clearly reflected by the recent translation of Death and Life into Dutch, books about her work and the organization of several "Jacobsean" study days. Indeed, most quotes in Dutch contemporary policy documents, speeches, and books deal with the need for diversity in neighborhoods. Also famous Dutch architects like Koolhaas and Christiaanse have paid tribute to Jacobs.
