The Urban Books collection documents an experimental and interdisciplinary pedagogical project initiated by professors Zeuler Lima and Jana Harper (2004-2013), with the collaboration of professor Ken Botnick (2013-2018) and concluded by Zeuler Lima in 2025, always at the Kranzberg Book Studio in the School of Design and Visual Arts.

In its 21 years of existence, the project critically embraced the tradition of urban imaging through the book format, bringing together different methodologies for the visual analysis and representation of contemporary urban phenomena, including urban history and theory, printmaking, graphic design, and the production of artists’ books.
 
The goal of assembling this collection was to provide study material for students in the class as well as the general audience. The original collection of 91 books was purchased in 2004 at the Printed Matter bookstore with support from a WashU Interdisciplinary Teaching Grant received by the original faculty team. Since then, student final projects have been added to the Special Collections at WashU Olin Library and available for public consultation. This collection can be browsed by Artist’s last name, the Year it was created, or keyword search.