The World Trade Center attack, September 11, 2001 represents an unprecedented tragedy in America. There is general consensus that a memorial should be built on site. Memorials are a way our society assigns significance to events and collectively provides a place for mourning. However, the nature of this memorial is highly disputed. Pressures, aside from those to build a memorial to victims, exist. The site may be required to re-establish the economy, revitalize Lower Manhattan, recreate a symbol of New York, and reassert American values. My thesis explores the precedent for integrating functional and sacred spaces to satisfy these demands. Four critical design elements: height, architecture, circulation, and activity can be used to preserve memory while re-establishing an urban environment. By integrating memorial with new uses it may be possible to recognize the past, facilitate healing through both remembrance and responsive action, and provide for a vibrant future.