Columbia (Columbia, MD) is regarded as one of the most successful planned cities in the United States.

Designed by James Rouse in 1967, this city was created with the goal of integrating diversity across race and income levels from the very beginning, and even after half a century, that spirit remains at the core of the city's identity. Having visited various cities for business, I find it rare to see a place where such design philosophy continues to resonate with the current culture.

In terms of city image, Columbia has long been branded with two key phrases: 'a great place to live' and 'an innovative community.' It consistently ranks in various media's annual lists of the best places to live, including CNN Money, Money Magazine, and Niche.com, particularly scoring high in education level, park accessibility, and economic diversity. This accumulation of positive evaluations has naturally created a virtuous cycle of young professionals and families continuously moving in.

One of the visual images that represent Columbia is the Merriweather Post Pavilion. As an outdoor concert venue, this space has hosted performances by world-class artists for decades, symbolizing Columbia's cultural identity beyond just being a concert hall. The surrounding Symphony Woods area is often featured in photos and videos introducing Columbia.

Howard County is frequently cited as a model case for Smart Growth policies. The development direction of town centers, emphasizing sustainable development, public transportation connectivity, and mixed-use zoning, has become a benchmark in urban planning. The fact that Columbia is not just a 'quiet suburban city' but also a model city in urban planning is one of the aspects that makes living here feel particularly rewarding.

Recently, the city is renewing its image by increasing urban density and enhancing walkable living environments through town center redevelopment projects. The transition from a mall-centric focus to a mixed-use cultural space, along with the influx of new residential and commercial facilities, is upgrading Columbia's image from 'Planned City 1.0' to 'Smart City 2.0.' As an immigrant, witnessing this city's transformation feels like a small privilege.