This Ecoso features an article by Maurie Crow which he wrote a few months before he died in April 1988. The article is republished for two reasons. Firstly, it provides an overview on urban issues which is still relevant and may be helpful to participants at the "The Public and the City Plan" seminar which is being held on March 28th in the North Melbourne Library. Secondly, it is published as a tribute to Maurie on the tenth anniversary of his death.