American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is a primary principle of the City Beautiful Movement?

1. Civic design

2. Urban renewal

3. Industrial planning

4. Transportation systems

The correct answer is: Civic design

The City Beautiful Movement is fundamentally centered around the idea of civic design, which involves creating aesthetically pleasing urban spaces that promote beauty and order alongside functionality. This movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the chaotic and unsightly conditions of rapidly industrializing cities. Advocates believed that well-designed public spaces would enhance social interaction and moral improvement, leading to better communities overall. Civic design emphasizes the importance of grand architecture, landscaped parks, and well-planned public spaces. By focusing on these aesthetic elements, cities could become not just places to live and work but also spaces that inspire pride and engagement among residents. The movement led to significant projects, including the development of waterfront parks, monumental buildings, and boulevards which embodied the principles of beauty, harmony, and democracy. In contrast, urban renewal primarily focuses on redeveloping underutilized or deteriorating areas but does not inherently prioritize the aesthetic qualities emphasized by the City Beautiful Movement. Industrial planning relates to the layout and regulation of industrial areas, while transportation systems concern the development of infrastructure for movement and access, neither of which directly aligns with the overarching goals of civic design. Thus, the essence of the City Beautiful Movement is accurately captured by the principle of