by: Murrye Bernard Assoc. AIA LEED AP
From 08.07-09.07.09, Planetizen, a public-interest information exchange focusing on urban planning and design, polled readers on the Top 100 Urban Thinkers in history. Voters were allowed to submit whomever they wished.
The resulting list includes some of the most influential and most controversial figures in the development of cities and places. Several New Yorkers made the list, including Jane Jacobs; Frederick Law Olmsted; Lewis Mumford; and William H. Whyte — all in the top 10 — as well as Robert Moses; Bruce Katz; Janette Sadik-Khan; Fred Kent; Jacob Riis; and Roberta Brandes Gratz.
Although Jane Jacobs ranked number one, there are only nine women in total who made the list. There are some entertaining choices, as well, including Charles, Prince of Wales, Walt Disney, and Henry Ford.