American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What characterized the City Beautiful movement in the early 20th century?

1. Focus on the revitalization of industrial cities

2. Emphasis on physical site planning and beautification

3. Advocacy for rural agrarian living

4. Creation of skyscrapers for urban growth

The correct answer is: Emphasis on physical site planning and beautification

The City Beautiful movement was primarily characterized by its emphasis on physical site planning and beautification. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the rapid urbanization and industrialization that often resulted in overcrowded, unsightly, and poorly planned cities. Proponents of the City Beautiful movement believed that by making cities more aesthetically pleasing through parks, well-designed public buildings, wide boulevards, and harmonious architecture, community morale and civic pride would be enhanced. The movement aimed to create an ideal urban environment that fostered public health, social order, and a sense of beauty, which they found essential for the public good. In contrast, while the revitalization of industrial cities and the creation of skyscrapers are noteworthy themes in urban planning, they do not capture the core intent of the City Beautiful movement, which was primarily focused on aesthetics rather than purely functional or economic considerations. The advocacy for rural agrarian living is also misaligned with City Beautiful ideals, which sought to improve urban spaces rather than promote a return to rural lifestyles.