Design Book Club Explores Jane Jacobs' Battle Against Robert Moses

The March event at Peachtree Branch Library will discuss "Wrestling with Moses" and its impact on urban renewal.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) and the Peachtree Branch Library are hosting a design book club discussion on the first Friday of each month. In March, the group will explore "Wrestling with Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took On New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City," which details the clash between writer and resident Jane Jacobs and New York City's "master builder" Robert Moses over the future of the city.

Why it matters

The book club discussion provides a fresh perspective on how design and urban planning decisions can profoundly impact local communities. Jacobs' advocacy for livable neighborhoods challenged Moses' top-down approach to urban renewal, forever changing the way cities are developed.

The details

The design book club meetings are held at the Peachtree Branch Library at 12 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch, though no red beverages are allowed. The March discussion will focus on "Wrestling with Moses," which chronicles the epic battle between Jacobs and Moses over the future of New York City.

  • The design book club meetings are held on the first Friday of each month at 12 p.m.
  • The March discussion on "Wrestling with Moses" will take place on March 6, 2026.

The players

Jane Jacobs

A resident and writer who advocated for livable communities and challenged Robert Moses' top-down approach to urban renewal in New York City.

Robert Moses

Referred to as the "master builder" of New York City, Moses was a powerful urban planner whose projects often prioritized automobiles over pedestrians and displaced low-income residents.

Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

The host organization for the design book club, which explores how design shapes the world.

Peachtree Branch Library

The venue for the design book club meetings, located in Atlanta.

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What’s next

The design book club will continue to meet on the first Friday of each month at the Peachtree Branch Library, exploring books that offer fresh perspectives on how design shapes our world.

The takeaway

The March design book club discussion on "Wrestling with Moses" highlights the ongoing tension between top-down urban planning and community-driven approaches to development, underscoring the importance of centering the needs and perspectives of local residents in shaping the future of cities.