American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What happened to the National Planning Board in 1943?

1. It was abolished as the National Resources Planning Board

2. It was merged with the Department of Housing and Urban Development

3. It was restructured into the Urban Development Agency

4. It was reestablished as the Federal Planning Authority

The correct answer is: It was abolished as the National Resources Planning Board

The National Planning Board was indeed abolished in 1943, corresponding to the dissolution of the National Resources Planning Board (NRPB). The NRPB, which had been created to aid in national resource planning and support economic recovery during and after the Great Depression, faced changing political landscapes and priorities during World War II, leading to its disbandment. This action reflects the historical context of the time when the focus shifted towards wartime efforts and away from broader resource planning initiatives. In contrast, the other options refer to either different organizations or events that did not occur in 1943. For instance, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was established later in 1965, well after the NRPB was abolished. The Urban Development Agency and the Federal Planning Authority are also not directly related to the specific event of the NRPB’s dissolution, reinforcing that the board's abolition was a standalone action with significant implications for national planning during that era.