Tracing the growth of America's cities from their beginnings to the present, this volume is indispensable for anyone seeking to understand the underlying texture of the urban landscape, its origins, inhabitants, and the forces beneficial and harmful to its growth. Distinguished author John Guinther relates historical examples to modern principles of urban planning, illustrating the holistic philosophy of renowned urban planner Edmund Bacon. Focusing on all of the elements that make a city what it is'from architecture and economy to political composition?Guinther offers a counter-argument to the belief that American cities are in a state of continuing decline. From the urban renewal programs put into place by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his New Deal plan to the anti-urban politics of the Reagan and Bush administrations, Guinther examines these policies and whether or not they have been advantageous to cities and their economies.Illustrated with photographs, drawings and diagrams, Direction of Cities takes a holistic approach to the rejuvenation of American cities, enabling readers to appreciate the charm and resplendence of buildings and the cities that encompass them.