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tbese groups have the power to
solve tbe multitudinous problems of
the cities. Why? Because none of
them, by tbeir own efforts, can re–
move tbe
causes
which spawned tbe
problems in the first place!
Wbat are these causes? Wbat
kind of power and authority will it
take to remove them?
No Clear Purpose
No one seems to know wbat tbe
city's role should be or just wbat a
city should accomplish. Of course,
ci ties do provide places where large
groups of people can live and work
togetber. But that is not enougb.
Tbere must be more.
One man who
is
most adamant
about the need for clearcut urban
goals is American city-builder
James W. Rouse. Mr. Rouse con-
20
tends tbat cities sbould have as their
number one goal tbe provision of a
decent environment wbicb works for
man, not against him. In Rouse's
words: "Our cities are only working
well to the extent that tbey are pro–
viding a decent place for tbe grow–
ing of people...."
To transform bis beliefs into ac–
tions, Rouse has built his own city.
Columbia, as it is called,
is
situated
in the beautiful Maryland country–
side midway between Baltimore and
Washington, D.C. The town dis–
plays a truly uniq ue approach to
city living. It is Rouse's attempt to
achieve a humanized urban envi–
ronment.
Basic to tbe town's design is re–
duced size. Columbia's dimensions
and population have been defined
from the outset. The town cannot
expand beyond certain limits.
Columbia demonstrates a truly
balanced approach to community
development.
lt
attempts to com–
bine the advantages of both urban
a n
d
r u ra
1 1
i
fe
w
i
t
b
t
be d
i
s–
advantages of neither. It has been
planned and built to balance botb
commerce and harmonious living –
small enougb to be accessible and
manageable, yet big enough to offer
variety and diversity in the types of
recreational activities offered.
The town is large enougb to be
spacious and open, yet sma ll
enougb so tbat bornes, scbools, and
stores can be placed fairly close to
one anotber. Within relatively short
distances, Columbia residents can
shop, attend concerts, take walks in
the park, or enjoy bicycle rides
through the woods. Also available
PLAIN TRUTH
June
1973