The first book on architect Maurice Cox’s dedication to reimagining the American city.

Maurice Cox, architect, urban designer, educator, and civic leader, has for more than three decades been working passionately to regenerate American cities through the lens of social justice and design excellence. He does so against considerable odds while achieving remarkable economic and social results. As a visionary leader in cities across America and beyond, Cox has occupied diverse roles ranging from professor and city commissioner to mayor.

This book is the first to present and discuss his multifaced achievements for a diverse audience of academics, community leaders, and professionals. Its seven chapters, focused chronologically on the cities—New York, Florence, Charlottesville, Washington D.C., New Orleans, Detroit, and Chicago—in which he lived and operated, consist of a series of interviews with Cox and collaborators with the stated goal of identifying recurring concepts and strategies, presented against the background of changing discourse and practice of regenerative approaches to American cities.

Combining archival materials, including Cox’s sketchbooks, with period and contemporary photography and artwork, this volume sheds light on the complex process associated with redrawing a city from the ground up. It provides hope and guidance for future generations of city-makers who seek to continue in the approach so fearlessly spearheaded by Maurice Cox.