Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism: Moses, Robert (1888–1981)

Abstract

Moses was an idealist, and had a clear, singular vision, which was to radically and formally modernize New York, favouring the International Style rather than the social values regarded in European Modernism. He was responsible for the United Nations decision to build the UN Headquarters in Manhattan rather than Philadelphia, and between 1946-53 Moses oversaw the development with Director of Planning Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz which included buildings be Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer (version 23/32, developed with Bodiansky and Weissmann). This is an encyclopedia entry outlining the career and trajectory of Robert Moses, New York's master planner.