Columbia, Maryland is a census-designated place in Howard County, United States. It is a planned community consisting of 10 independent villages, and was one of the first forerunners of new masterfully planned urban communities. Developed by James Rouse in the late 1960s, Columbia was designed to be a mix of the best of urban and rural life, where people from all walks of life could live side by side. Over the years, Columbia has undergone an incredible transformation and has become a thriving city with a variety of shopping centers, educational institutions, and transportation options. The Columbia Mall is located in the center of the city and is a large regional mall with three main department stores (Nordstrom, Macy's, and JCPenney), a multiplex movie theater, and more than 200 stores and restaurants.
In addition to its original campus in Columbia, Howard Community College now has satellite campuses in Mount Airy, Laurel and East Columbia. The University of Phoenix, the American Career Institute, the Lincoln College of Technology, the Loyola University of Maryland, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the Maryland University of Integrative Health, and the Johns Hopkins University all have facilities on the east side of the city in the Columbia Gateway Business Park. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) provides access to and from Washington and Baltimore; its Monday-Friday suburban bus service connects Columbia to the Washington subway system. Columbia has become a model not only for Maryland's smart growth but also for American suburbs in general. It is one of the most ambitious and successful planned communities ever built in the United States. At present, Columbia is a vibrant city with a mix of black and white people, poorer and richer people, apartments and houses.
It is an example of how urban areas can be revitalized through careful planning and development. The city has come a long way since its inception in the late 1960s and continues to be an example for other cities looking to create successful planned communities. As an expert in SEO optimization, I can confidently say that Columbia is an ideal example for other cities looking to create successful planned communities. With its mix of shopping centers, educational institutions, transportation options, and diverse population, it is no wonder that Columbia has become one of the most successful planned communities ever built in the United States.
