New Havenin the U.S. state ofConnecticut, is the principal municipality inGreater New Haven.It is the second-largest city in Connecticut. Itwas founded in 1638 by EnglishPuritans, and a year later eight streets were laid out in a four-by-fourgrid, creating what is now commonly known as the "Nine Square Plan",now recognized by theAmerican Institute of Certified Plannersas a National Planning Landmark. The central common block isNew Haven Green, a 16-acre (6ha) square, now aNational Historic Landmarkand the center ofDowntown New Haven.
New Haven is the home ofYale University. The university is an integral part of the city's economy, being New Haven's biggest taxpayer and employer.Health care (hospitals and biotechnology), professional services (legal, architectural, marketing, and engineering), financial services, and retail trade also help to form an economic base for the city.
New Haven had the first public tree planting program in America, producing a canopy of mature trees (including some largeelms) that gave New Haven the nickname "The Elm City".