Jane Jacobs

Here's a very nice appreciation of Jane Jacobs, who is still alive and kicking at the age of 89.

She's like a friendly next-door neighbor who likes to chat about the problems with traffic and parking on your block, and you agree politely—until you gradually notice that she has been laying out a far-reaching, cogent critique of the entire society, complete with systemic solutions to apparently unconnected problems. That's when you realize she may be the smartest person you know.

I like to think of her as a "visionary realist."