e-flux: Michael Sorkin (1948–2020)
Sarah Abdallah
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our friend and comrade Michael Sorkin yesterday due to complications associated with COVID-19. Michael was an inspiration to all who saw the city as a battleground for emancipatory and progressive politics.
Michael was, among many other things, a prolific writer who approached the world with boundless energy, unrivaled dedication, and serious play. He was the principal and founder of Michael Sorkin Studios, Distinguished Professor of Architecture and Director of the Graduate Program in Urban Design at City College of New York, the President of Terreform and Editor-in-Chief of Urban Research (UR).
To honor Michael's legacy, we thought it most suitable to republish a text Michael wrote for us in 2018, a manifesto for the city. Dealing with issues of accessibility and public space, his ideas presented in this text are perhaps more relevant now, in global lockdown, than ever. But they always have been, and always will be. His thoughts, and his dreams will always have something more to teach about how the city should be.