American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What major event helped propel the City Beautiful Movement and in which year did it take place?

1. The Great Chicago Fire, 1871

2. The World's Columbian Exposition, 1893

3. The New York World’s Fair, 1939

4. The Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, 1876

The correct answer is: The World's Columbian Exposition, 1893

The choice of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 as a pivotal event in the City Beautiful Movement is rooted in the significant impact the exposition had on urban design and civic aesthetics in the United States. This major event showcased classical architecture and the principles of beauty and order in public spaces, reflecting the ideals of the City Beautiful Movement, which emerged in the late 19th century. At the exposition, planners and architects emphasized monumental architecture and beautification of cities, influencing public policies and urban planning practices. The event provided a platform for discussing the role of urban design in enhancing quality of life and encouraged cities across the country to improve their public spaces with parks, beautification projects, and more organized urban layouts. This shift in focus on aesthetics and civic pride marked a significant moment in the evolution of urban planning in the United States during that era. The other events listed, while important in various contexts, either preceded the movement significantly or did not focus on urban beautification in the same way as the World's Columbian Exposition.