Columbia has been a source of pride for Howard County since Jim Rouse first unveiled his vision for a model planned community. Built around the shared values of economic, racial, and cultural harmony, Rouse imagined a beautiful, self-sustaining city complete with jobs, schools, shopping, medical services and a wide range of housing choices. Columbia did, in fact, become the new “American city” and it now regularly ranks as one of the best places to live in the United States. Howard County Government is a proud partner in this celebration of Columbia’s 50th birthday.