Frederick Steiner's article "City Limits" explores the evolution of Austin, Texas, through the lens of two significant urban planning plans: one by Paul Philippe Cret for the University of Texas campus and another by Ian L. McHarg for the Lake Austin area. Cret, a prominent Beaux-Arts architect, designed the campus in 1933, emphasizing a flexible and adaptable plan that respected historical context while charting a bold new course. His work is rooted in Beaux-Arts principles, focusing on the relationships between buildings and the environment. McHarg, a leading planner and landscape architect, prepared the Lake Austin Growth Management Plan in 1976. His plan applied ecological principles to manage growth, identifying three zones: conservation, limited development, and development. McHarg's approach was more explicit in its integration of nature, contrasting with Cret's more implicit human ecology. The article reflects on the ongoing influence of these plans on Austin's urban fabric, noting both the successes and challenges. Austin, while ranking high in livability, faces issues such as racial and economic segregation, lack of affordable housing, and environmental concerns. Despite these challenges, Steiner concludes that the legacy of Cret and McHarg continues to shape the city, offering valuable insights into the nature of urban planning and the interplay between human activity and the natural environment.Frederick Steiner's article "City Limits" explores the evolution of Austin, Texas, through the lens of two significant urban planning plans: one by Paul Philippe Cret for the University of Texas campus and another by Ian L. McHarg for the Lake Austin area. Cret, a prominent Beaux-Arts architect, designed the campus in 1933, emphasizing a flexible and adaptable plan that respected historical context while charting a bold new course. His work is rooted in Beaux-Arts principles, focusing on the relationships between buildings and the environment. McHarg, a leading planner and landscape architect, prepared the Lake Austin Growth Management Plan in 1976. His plan applied ecological principles to manage growth, identifying three zones: conservation, limited development, and development. McHarg's approach was more explicit in its integration of nature, contrasting with Cret's more implicit human ecology. The article reflects on the ongoing influence of these plans on Austin's urban fabric, noting both the successes and challenges. Austin, while ranking high in livability, faces issues such as racial and economic segregation, lack of affordable housing, and environmental concerns. Despite these challenges, Steiner concludes that the legacy of Cret and McHarg continues to shape the city, offering valuable insights into the nature of urban planning and the interplay between human activity and the natural environment.