PLANNING

Recognition of the necessity for orderly planning and pro-
gramming is highlighted by the selections presented. The
rapid urbanization, the complexity of intergovernmental re-
ationships, the conflicting functional jurisdictions and the
clash of vested economic interests make leadership in this
field a challenging problem in state government. Maryland
during the early 1960's created a State Planning Department
and made adjustments in state legislation to promote more
satisfactory planning.

ADDRESS, THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS

ANNAPOLIS

I have heard of the splendid work your organization is doing for
the betterment of local governments, and so I was pleased that in the
budget I presented to the General Assembly yesterday I was able to
include a small appropriation to assist you in staffing your central
office.

I would like to speak to you briefly today on a subject I consider
of paramount importance to every citizen of Maryland. Of all the
changes that have occurred in this country during the past few years,
none is so dramatic and so spectacular as the rapid urbanization that
has taken place. Urbanization has swept over Maryland so rapidly
since World War II that the changes become visible almost from day
to day. The spectacular rise in population has been accompanied
by a mass movement of people to our cities. The result is that our
largest urban center—the Baltimore metropolitan area—has spread
out over the three counties surrounding the city and is stretching
farther every day. Washington, our national capital, has spilled over
its boundaries into Virginia and Maryland, with the result that two
more of our 23 counties are almost completely urbanized. Mass-built
developments sprawl into the suburbs of our large cities, and a rapid
and sometimes catastrophic change appears in the character of our
central cities. Slums expand, and with it comes a deterioration of cen-
tal business districts and a general decrease in the value of proper-
ties. The large cities are first to suffer the impact of this change.
Baltimore is our best example here in Maryland, and Baltimore is
aware of the problem it faces.

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