explore · Knowledge Sharing, Communication, Empathy · 60–120 min · 5-40 people · medium energy
Jane's Walk
A local person leads a walk through a neighbourhood with three to seven stops, and at each stop starts a conversation rather than giving a lecture. Walkers bring their own knowledge of the place, and the leader invites them to talk about what they see, remember and worry about. The walk is free, non-commercial and open to anyone.
When to use Jane's Walk
Use when a team, a community or a mix of residents and officials needs to talk about a real place together, on site, before a plan or decision is made about it.
What it solves
Plans for a neighbourhood are discussed in a meeting room by people who do not walk there, while the people who do are not asked.
How to run Jane's Walk, step by step
- Choose a theme and a route with three to seven stops that each raise a question (prep).
- Open with introductions and the theme; make clear it is a conversation, not a tour (5 min).
- At each stop, say two or three sentences about the place and ask the group a question about it (5-10 min per stop).
- Walk between stops at an easy pace so people can talk in pairs (5-10 min per leg).
- End at a place where people can sit and gather what they heard (10-15 min).
Materials needed
- A planned route with stops
- Questions per stop
- Optional: printed map, photos of how the place used to look
Facilitator tips
- Pick an accessible route with resting points and check it for traffic and toilets.
- Invite a few people who know the place well (long-time residents, shop owners) and let them speak.
- Keep the group small enough to hear each other on a street; above 25 people use a portable amplifier or split up.
Common pitfalls
- The leader lectures and nobody else speaks.
- Using the walk to promote a business or a candidate, which breaks the Jane's Walk principles.
Variations
- Theme walks: walk the route of a planned project with residents and decision-makers together.
Running it online or hybrid
Virtual walks with a live video feed or a recorded route plus a live conversation are an accepted Jane's Walk format.
What it produces
A set of stories, issues and ideas tied to specific spots on a route, recorded as notes or a simple annotated map.
Origin
A movement of free, citizen-led walking conversations started in Toronto in 2006-2007 by friends and colleagues of urbanist Jane Jacobs, now held in hundreds of cities each May. — source
Build a session around Jane's Walk
METODIC places Jane's Walk inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.