WWI's Secret: How the US Government Built 80+ Towns in Two Years
During WWI, the US government secretly became the nation's largest housing developer, constructing over 80 planned communities across 26 states in just two years. These weren't hastily built barracks, but thoughtfully designed neighborhoods complete with parks, schools, and infrastructure, housing nearly 100,000 people. Inspired by the Garden City movement, these communities prioritized single-family homes, eventually sold to residents, fostering community ownership and stability. Though the program ended with the war, its legacy endures in the many surviving neighborhoods and its influence on urban planning principles. This forgotten chapter highlights the potential of large-scale government intervention to address critical needs.