American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

George Pullman designed and built the Town of Pullman in 1880. In which state was it built?

1. New Jersey

2. Maryland

3. Illinois

4. Missouri

The correct answer is: Illinois

The Town of Pullman was built in Illinois, specifically designed as a company town for workers of the Pullman Company, which manufactured railroad cars. Established in the 1880s, it was notable for its innovative design, providing housing, services, and recreational facilities for its residents, which aimed to create a stable and efficient workforce. The development was historically significant as it exemplified early attempts at planned communities in the United States, where social conditions of laborers could be improved through thoughtful urban design. Furthermore, Pullman's ambition was to construct a community that not only housed workers but also offered them a sense of belonging, a breaking away from the often dismal living conditions typical of industrial cities at that time. This emphasis on worker welfare reflects broader social and economic trends present in late 19th-century America, making Illinois the correct answer to the question.