So, given my post yesterday about Robert Moses, it is only appropriate that I follow up with a post about Jane Jacobs. Tonight was the Jane Jacobs Award presentation, funded by Toronto philanthropist Alan Broadbent through his "ideas that matter" organization. Each year they give out a prize to an ordinary person has "contributed to the city's vitality."
Well, wasn't it a love-in for the local bourgeoisie: This year's winner was Roberto Dante Martella, proprietor of an uptown restaurant called Grano. From the laudatory speeches by the mayor and others, I understand that Roberto has hosted salons patronized by the mayor and the local philanthropy set and serves up a mean hazelnut gellato. All speechmakers pronounced themselves personal friends of the wonderful Mr. Martello. Afterwards the woman next to me turned and said, "Isn't it great that Roberto won? He has done so much for the city! My husband and I eat there once a week!"
Jane Jacobs did a lot of things for Toronto and urbanism in general, good and bad. One thing I would hope she would not have done was endorse the giving of an award in her name to the uptown set's favourite restaurateur. Pass the gelatto, please.
