With the rise of Rotterdam as a port and commercial city from the 19th century, a new urban elite emerged who, driven by liberal notions of responsible citizenship, developed a strong sense of duty and developed social and cultural initiatives for Rotterdam society. A comprehensive insight of their progressive activities in public housing and urban planning is provided in this book. It also looks beyond the municipal boundaries. This includes the Stork family, who, through ties of friendship with the Muller family, had Karel Muller design the urban plans Tuindorp Het Lansink and Elinkwijk.