Edmund N. Bacon

About the Author

Edmund N. Bacon was a pioneering urban planner and architect whose visionary ideas reshaped the modern cityscape. Born in 1909 in Philadelphia, he rose to prominence as the city's planning director from 1949 to 1970, transforming it into a model of urban renewal with innovative projects that balanced preservation and progress. Bacon's seminal work, Design of Cities: Revised Edition, distills his philosophy on urban design, emphasizing the interplay of history, culture, and architecture in fostering vibrant public spaces. A prolific lecturer and educator, he influenced generations of planners through his teachings at the University of Pennsylvania and his engaging public television series. Bacon's legacy endures in the thoughtful evolution of urban environments worldwide, advocating for cities that inspire and unite their inhabitants.