Towards New Towns for America—Slowly

The number of New Towns in the United States depends on definition of the term. In 1969 HUD listed 63 projects claiming that classification, with ultimate populations varying from 5,000 to 400,000. Today there are about 80, in stages from advance planning to virtual completion. Many are large, well-designed residential suburbs, with supporting facilities, and might be termed Planned Unit Developments. Low-cost housing seldom is feasible. Where industry exists, workers and service employees usually commute in, while the middle income residents work elsewhere. A few projects are reasonably self-contained, but only a few are totally outside any metropolitan area. Since 1968, federal legislation provides financial assistance to New Towns. Except for New York State’s two projects, all New Town development has been privately funded, making huge sums of patient capital essential. The accelerating federal program has assisted 12 communities.