What I learned from Jane Jacobs

When I went to London, I was a bit lost—not just geographically, but personally. I didn’t really know what I was looking for. I’d wander around aimlessly, sit on park benches, explore tiny alleys, and just people-watch. But in all that quiet observing, something clicked. I started to realize that there’s no better education than being able to travel the world and see how different communities live, build, and thrive.

- ANNA MAE YU LAMENTILLO

When I started studying formally, the first book I read was Jane Jacobs' The Death and Life of Great American Cities. And honestly, that book has never left me. It shaped the way I see cities, neighborhoods, and the power of community. Jacobs, to me, was someone who looked around and paid attention to what made a place feel alive.

Her idea of “eyes on the street” has stuck with me the most. It’s about more than just safety—it’s about community ownership, presence, and trust. A place where people know each other, where the streets are alive with kids playing and neighbors chatting, where you feel seen and safe. Only when a girl can walk to school without worrying about being harassed or harmed, will we really say we’re making progress on gender equality. Safety isn’t just a public policy issue—it’s personal. It determines who gets to participate in life.

I think about all this when I look at places like the Manila Hotel. It’s one of those places that carries history, soul, and memory.