is, at once, the highest achievement of the human spirit and the womb from which emerge all those other innovations that magnify and ennoble human life. Art, music, literature, philosophy, mathematics, science & technology, medicine, jurisprudence – all were born in cities or the city’s close cousin, the university. Of all human artifacts, the city is most worth preserving.

The physical and cultural fabrics of great historic cities are tapestries of images that tell the stories of those who lived here before us – who they were, how they lived their lives, and what they understood “the good life” to be.  Now it is our turn to live the good life in great cities and enjoy and add to the rich cultural gifts bequeathed to us.  If we do, we will fulfill the terms of the ancient Athenian oath: “In all these ways we will transmit this City, not only not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”