TASK FORCE ON URBAN AFFAIRS 885

This is the satellite city concept, which was first popularized by the
Eisenhower administration. The satellite city is an imaginative al-
ternative to urban blight and suburban sprawl. It is an absolute
answer to urban impaction, to prejudice-born ghettos and pockets
of poverty.

The initial premise justifying satellite city development is the view
that an inner city should operate primarily as a cultural-commercial-
communications core. It should be a place where people work and
play, the market place and entertainment center of a metropolitan
area. Its industry should be highly selective — only that requiring
city locus, such as its port, railroad and airport functions. It should
be the repository for great educational, cultural and recreational
facilities. Conversely, in our highly mobilized society, it should not
be primarily a residential center. Housing should be available for
those who want the dynamic tempo of city life, rather than an ex-
ternally imposed necessity for those restricted by economics or preju-
dice from suburban living.

Ideally, many satellite cities surround the inner city. These com-
munities offer diversified housing, community services and employ-
ment. No satellite contains a disproportionate mix of housing or
industry but a balance to provide a solid economic base. Maryland
is fortunate that it can claim an ideal example, Columbia — founded
and sponsored solely by private enterprise.

However, few industries have the resources or the right to risk
such extensive investment in a single project. For this reason, all
levels of government should partly subsidize the foundation of
satellite cities in much the same way our urban renewal projects are
now financed. Government can plan the city, buy the land, provide
zoning, grading, clearing, roads, sewers, storm drains, transit and
power lines. Then, private developers can bid to acquire all or por-
tions of the land, subject to their developing in accordance with the
plan.

New planned communities would not only guarantee open housing
but also would serve as the nucleus for Negro commercial enterprise.
The government can give special breaks or incentives for the Negro
commercial or industrial entrepreneur. We can make it so profitable
that the private developer cannot afford to stay out of the low-cost
housing business. Psychologically, the satellite city is ideal for suc-
cessful integrated housing. Here, whites and Negroes start out alike
in a new community without the entrenched neighborhood cliques