Over 30 free walking tours are taking place around Vancouver from May 4 to 6 as part of a movement inspired by influential American-Canadian writer, urban-planning activist, and “mother of Vancouverism” Jane Jacobs.

Dubbed the Jane’s Walk Festival, the international initiative will see walking tours taking place in nearly 200 cities around the world. The event gives citizens a chance to engage with and learn more about their communities while discovering unseen aspects of their own neighbourhoods.

This year, the Vancouver chapter of Jane’s Walk will include jaunts through areas such as Granville Island, Commercial Drive, Hastings–Sunrise, and Kitsilano led by writers, urban-planning experts, and other fine Samaritans.

Of special note are Remembering the Future of Hogan’s Alley, which will explore Vancouver’s historically black neighbourhood and its relationship with Chinatown and Strathcona; Interpreting Coal Harbour with Larry Beasley, which will involve the former co-director of planning for the City of Vancouver reflecting on the transformation of downtown Vancouver; and Collective Housing as a Sustainable Living Model in Shaughnessy, which will take guests into two “micro communities”—one of them zero-waste—on the West Side.

All the walking tours are free, and range from 60 minutes to four hours. Many are child-, pet-, and bicycle-friendly. Many are also accessible for people with disabilities.

For more information about Jane’s Walk, including a full list of tours and times, click here.