The Urbanite, that monthly magazine from our, um, urban neighbor to the north, takes a look at Columbia, its suburban neighbor to the south, with eye on the past, the present and, most excitingly, what directions the future might take.
The article features an in depth review of our New City, now forty years on, and the issues facing it, a suburban town once seen as the New America, is now, perhaps, poised to be a leading example of the ‘Next American Dream’ as it implements a thirty year plan to develop downtown.
The article notes, “Rouse’s “Next America” remains immensely popular,” but realizes that it faces what many suburban communities across the country are beginning to realize:
The next “Next America”—by necessity and desire—appears to be moving away from car-centered cul-de-sacs and toward the kind of urban landscape that many suburbanites once fled.
Next necessitating a more livable blend of both car-based suburban drivable and a walkable, pedestrian friendly and inspired ‘downtown’.
On the verge of its future, downtown Columbia is set to benefit from a plan recently approved by the county. John DeWolf, vice president of development for Columbia at Howard Hughes Corporation, calls the plan “‘masterful’ and affirms that his company is ‘committed’ to its fruition”.
The story’s out, Columbia is on the verge of its future and many are eager to see this pioneer place to live reclaim the limelight as it moves forward, leading again by example.
To read the Urbanite article in full, click here.
