Jane Jacobs was not a trained urban planner, but rather a journalist with common sense who believed that cities should be understood from sidewalk level and not from air-conditioned offices. In her monumental book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, she introduced concepts that became cornerstones of urbanism: "Eyes on the street" – the sense of security created by pedestrian activity, and "mixed-use development" – the combination of housing, work, and leisure that creates a vibrant, living city. She believed that "social capital" is built through random neighborhood encounters, creating community resilience.
The initiative, which began in Toronto in 2007, offers a refreshing perspective on urban space and has become a global event dedicated to the vision of activist Jane Jacobs, who changed the face of modern urban planning. It takes place every year around the world in May, marking her birthday.
Today, "Jane's Walk" takes place in more than 500 cities across 46 countries. In Israel, the first event began in 2011 in Tel Aviv. A year later it expanded to Haifa and Jerusalem, and since then to many other cities across the country, including this week in Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut.
Presenting the City "From Sidewalk Level"
Between May 14–16, 2026, Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut will join hundreds of cities worldwide in hosting the "Jane's Walk" festival, offering a different and refreshing perspective on urban space.
Initiated by the municipality and the multidisciplinary center, the three-day event will feature guided tours led voluntarily by city residents, presenting the city "from sidewalk level" – through personal stories, architecture, and community. It is an opportunity to pause the daily rush, look around, and discover that the city, its homes, and its sidewalks are made up of countless personal plans and encounters that turn it into a home.
The "Jane's Walk" events in Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut are in fact an implementation of this philosophy – the people who experience the city every day are the ones who can explain it best, especially in a city whose planning aligns with the spirit of Jane Jacobs' vision.
A Taste of the Program: From the Local Stonehenge to the Commercial Heart
This year's program in Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut is especially diverse, offering routes that combine nature, history, and architecture:
Architecture and Innovation: Architect Nili Teichman will lead a journey between old and new Modi'in, while architect Ziv Gadon, the city engineer, will examine the fascinating interfaces between the city and the surrounding nature.
The Beating Heart of the Neighborhood: Deputy Mayor Or Greenfeld will lead a tour titled "Then and Now," focusing on the old commercial centers as the city's social and community hub.
Secrets and Stories: Yuval Shemesh will reveal the "Stonehenge of Modi'in," and Nir Hirsch will take visitors on a tour through the city's hidden secrets.
A Cinematic Perspective: On Thursday evening, a special screening of the film Citizen Jane: Battle for the City will take place at the Hasmonean Heritage Museum, documenting Jane Jacobs' struggle over the future of New York City.
As per the global tradition, all tours are free of charge and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Intended for adults (18 and older) and includes an easy walk of about an hour and a half. Registration and additional information by phone: 08-6226768.