296 Gathering the pieces
communities will be examined: (a) satellite city (illustrated by Boulder, Colorado);
(b) planned town in the urban-region ring (illustrated by several communities
including Celebration, Florida); and (c) suburban town in the metropolitan area
(illustrated by Concord, Massachusetts). The examples are relatively well-known
places in the USA, not typical or representative, but providing useful insights
forunderstanding or planning of urban regions. In each case we consider how
thelocal community fits into the patterns and processes of the broader region.Satellite city
Boulder, Colorado(population 90 000) lies in the inner portion of Denver’s
(city population 555 000) urban-region ring, and at the base of the Rocky Moun-
tains adjoining North America’s Great Plains. Most of the nearby Rocky Moun-
tain area is federally protected land, whereas Boulder lies in one of the areas
with the highest rate of expected sprawl in the nation (Burchellet al.2005).
Quality of life and environmental quality are of particular concern to Boulder
residents.
Aflagship feature of the city is its 12 000 ha (30 000 acre) open space sys-
tem (Benfieldet al.2001,Peter Pollock, personal communication). Highlights are
agreenbelt (outlined in 1910 by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.), averaging about
2km inwidth,andgreenways slicing across the central built area to intercon-
nect with the greenbelt. The greenways are mostly stream corridors with walk-
ing/biking trails. Small parks are present in the central area, and the greenbelt
and greenways provide connectivity for species movement to and among the
parks. The open space or greenspace system includes city land, state land, fed-
eral land, cemeteries, and more, whereas intensive-use spots such as ball fields
are managed separately. The land is zoned with management regulations related
toownership, as well as uses such as walking, dog-walking, and bicycling (Miller
and Gershman1998). Overall the system is greatly appreciated and much used
by Boulder residents, and also by residents of nearby communities.
Deer populations are relatively dense and cougar (mountain lion) sightings
not infrequent, but Boulderites are generally appreciative or tolerant of wildlife.
The relative abundance of top predators helps maintain a diverse food web and
rich biodiversity (Chapter4).
Three major goals effectively created, and are accomplished by, thisgreenspace
system: (1) protection of natural systems, which includes: native grassland,
wildlife, and biodiversity; soil erosion control; and reduction of water runoff
and flooding; (2) recreational opportunity, so that all residents live near a park,
greenway, or greenbelt, and have ready walking access to the open greenbelt
area; and (3) shaping the development of the city, which includes limiting urban-
ization and sprawl and ‘‘disciplining” urban growth in the central portion.