In his story about investments in good public design in New York City, the New York Times’ Michael Kimmelman has added a chapter in the history of what I have called “civitas by design,”  physical interventions in communities with the intent of bringing citizens closer together. Kimmelman’s primary examples are libraries in poorer areas of New York that both serve felt needs and enhance the experience of sharing public space together.  What would it take to extend this determination to other cities? In times of tight budgets, usually the first casualty are perceived frills, and hiring talented architects are likely to be counted among those not asked to apply when public buildings are being built or renovated.  Kimmelman makes the case, however,  that good design is value added, in social as well as aesthetic terms.  Early efforts to provide public housing during the Depression took the same stance, with positive results, until cost-conscious members of Congress  rolled back spending to the point of eliminating anything that could be considered quality design.  This is not the time to expect extravagance in any form, but we can do more with less, and using design to meet social needs ought to have a high priority in our public investment strategy.