The Urbanist: Dan Doctoroff and the Rise of New Yo

An unprecedented look at the central role one man played in the transformation of New York City

Daniel L. Doctoroff served as New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding between 2002 and 2007. In that critical time, he oversaw one of the most profound overhauls of the city’s environment in its history. 

For lovers of New York City, this book tells the stories of some of the city’s most transformative projects in a generation, many told for the first time, including new maps and diagrams created especially for this book. It provides behind-the-scenes accounts of significant projects such as Brooklyn Bridge Park, the High Line, Million Trees NYC, the development of PlaNYC’s blueprint for urban sustainability, the rebuilding of Ground Zero, the Lower Manhattan Vision Plan, and contributors include government insiders, journalists, academics, athletes, architects, and filmmakers, including Hillary Clinton, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Elizabeth Diller, and Doctoroff himself.

The Urbanist presents the story of Doctoroff’s legacy, which includes creating new economic hubs in all ?ve boroughs, reclaiming the waterfront with a series of iconic parks, supporting new museums and cultural institutions, and reshaping the city’s transportation network. 

Review

‘With striking imagery, the book showcases Doctoroff’s grand ambitions and achievements.’ –New York Post

‘Every journalist, politician and pundit worth their salt has read (or claims to have read) Robert Caro’s “The Power Broker”, about Robert Moses. In the 20th century Moses built bridges, tunnels, roads, public housing and beaches, reshaping and sometimes scarring New York City and its surrounds. They should also read “The Urbanist: Dan Doctoroff and the Rise of New York”, which chronicles in roughly 100 essays how Mr. Doctoroff, the city’s deputy mayor under Mike Bloomberg, helped to reshape New York after the attacks of September 11th, 2001. He used the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan as a catalyst for growth all over the city. He was the force behind new cultural institutions, such as the Shed, along with new stadiums and parks, including the High Line. Nearly half of the city was re-zoned, with quality-of-life improvements and sustainability in mind and with decidedly less bulldozing than Moses.’ – The Economist

‘A new book, The Urbanist, tells Doctoroff’s story through a collection of essays from notables including Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton, and Paul Goldberger, as well as through more than 450 photographs of his recognizable landmarks.’ – Air Mail

‘An exhaustive look at New York City’s incredible transformation, shepherded by Dan Doctoroff. . .. inspires readers to dream big and deliver results.’ – Bloomberg

About the Author

Michael Bloomberg is the Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the 108th Mayor of New York City.

Paul Goldberger is an author, architecture critic, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize.