The Urban Design of Sesame Street

The article explores the connection between the urban design principles outlined in Jane Jacobs' book "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" and the design of the fictional setting of the children's television show Sesame Street. The article highlights how the show's creators, who were developing the program in the 1960s, were influenced by Jacobs' ideas about the importance of diversity, density, and mixed-use neighborhoods. These principles can be seen in the show's setting, which features a diverse community with a mix of residential and commercial spaces, as well as a sense of density and activity. The article suggests that the urban design of Sesame Street reflects a deliberate effort to create a vibrant and engaging environment that reflects the realities of urban life, rather than a idealized or sanitized version of it. This approach, the article argues, helps to make the show more relatable and accessible to its young viewers.