This unique collection of essays honors the memory of Robert F. Wagner, Jr., who served New York City in many capacities, including president of the Board of Education, deputy mayor, and chairman of the Planning Commission. Experts in the area of urban policy who knew Wagner discuss the most daunting issues facing cities today: fiscal crisis, poverty, racial tension, education, health and welfare, crime, public housing, transportation, public space. The contributors, in addition to the editor, include Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala, Peter C. Goldmark, Jr., Diane Ravitch, Joseph A. Fernandez, Paul Goldberger, Stanley Brezenoff, Ester R. Fuchs, Nathan Leventhal, Dick Netzer, Roger Cohen, William J. Dean, Robert R. Kiley, Christopher Stone, and J. Phillip Thompson.