American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What notable work did Ian McHarg publish?

1. Cities in Evolution

2. Design with Nature

3. The Children of the Poor

4. Regional Survey of New York and its Environs

The correct answer is: Design with Nature

Ian McHarg is best known for his groundbreaking book "Design with Nature," published in 1969. This influential work significantly contributed to the fields of landscape architecture and environmental planning. In "Design with Nature," McHarg advocated for the importance of integrating ecological principles into the planning process. He introduced the concept of using a systematic approach to land use decisions by analyzing ecological factors, such as soils, watershed, and climate, and emphasized the need for designs and policies that harmonize with the environment rather than disrupt it. The book highlighted techniques such as using overlay mapping, which allows planners to visualize spatial relationships and assess environmental constraints when making planning decisions. This approach laid the groundwork for what would later develop into a broader field of sustainable design and environmental planning. While the other choices represent important works in their own right, none of them capture the specific contributions and innovative ideas put forth by McHarg in "Design with Nature." The other titles are from different authors or pertain to distinctly different topics in urban planning and geographic studies.