"Exploring Pittsburghs ups & downs. In Pittsburgh, the elevation varies wildly, fluctuating more than 600 feet from highest to lowest points throughout the area, making it one of the hilliest cities in the United States. Throughout this unruly and physically challenging landscape, the citys first mass transportation system was built--a steadily expanding network of public stairways, locally referred to as city steps. With more than nine hundred unique flights of stairs throughout the citys ninety neighborhoods, the city steps reflect the history and character of a diverse Pittsburgh. Authors Laura Zurowski, Charles Succop and Matthew Jacob present the history of Pittsburghs city steps alongside maps and incredible walking tours that reveal the beauty of the city through its most unique public infrastructure"--Page 4 of cover.