American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What organization did Saul Alinsky help to establish linked with community organizing?

1. The Chicago School of Urban Planning

2. Back of the Yards advocacy organization

3. The Urban Land Institute

4. American Planning Association

The correct answer is: Back of the Yards advocacy organization

Saul Alinsky was instrumental in the establishment of the Back of the Yards advocacy organization, which was focused on community organizing and activist efforts in the neighborhoods of Chicago. His work in this area was pivotal in promoting grassroots movements and empowering community members to advocate for social change and improvements in their living conditions. Alinsky’s approach emphasized the importance of community participation and organization to address issues such as unemployment, poor housing, and lack of public services. The Back of the Yards organization, which aimed to improve the living conditions of workers and their families in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, serves as a prime example of Alinsky's methods and philosophies in action. The other organizations listed do not directly link to Alinsky’s foundational work in community organizing. The Chicago School of Urban Planning may have influenced urban studies but does not specifically relate to Alinsky’s community-focused initiatives. The Urban Land Institute primarily concentrates on land use and real estate development, which are not aligned with Alinsky’s grassroots organizing principles. The American Planning Association deals with planning practices and policymaking, which again differs from Alinsky’s emphasis on community mobilization and advocacy.