WHEREAS this year marks the 5th anniversary of Jane's Walk, inspired by the lifelong work of Jane Jacobs in which residents meet and mingle on walking tours of their neighbourhoods. Today, Jane's Walk takes place in more than 70 cities around the world and there are more than 100 free walking tours in Toronto this year.

Jane Jacobs was born on May 4, 1916 in Scranton, Pennsylvania and moved to Toronto in 1968. Until her death in 2006, she inspired and taught the world how to understand and value cities, almost single-handedly influencing and transforming our ideas about urban life.

Jane Jacobs was a writer, outspoken urban activist, a philosopher and an innovator. She observed how cities function and analyzed how people can live in a world of conflicting moral principles. Published 50 years ago, her book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” brought into focus the premise that cities are engines of growth and that their vitality stems from the variety of activities people engage in.

Jane Jacobs’ arguments were from the ground up, with in-depth observations of everyday places, teaching us about ‘eyes on the street’ and life on the sidewalk. She believed that walkable, dense, compact and diverse neighbourhoods were the hallmarks of a healthy city where people connect and engage their creative synergies. She had faith in the wisdom of local residents and encouraged us to love and embrace our city.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Rob Ford, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim May 4, 2011 as "Jane Jacobs Day" and recognize that Jane’s Walk, honours a great Torontonian, Jane Jacobs – one of the foremost urban thinkers and activists of our times.