American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What role did Flavel Shurtleff play in the history of city planning?

1. Established the first city planning conference

2. Authored the first major city planning textbook

3. Founded the American Institute of Planners

4. Created the first city planning school

The correct answer is: Authored the first major city planning textbook

Flavel Shurtleff is recognized for authoring the first major city planning textbook, which had a significant impact on the field of urban planning. This foundational work helped establish a theoretical framework and practical guidance for planners, influencing both academic study and professional practice in city planning. His contributions were crucial during a time when the field was becoming more formalized and recognized as a distinct area of expertise. This textbook not only served as a valuable resource for current and aspiring planners but also contributed to the evolution of planning as a profession. The establishment of textbooks and formal literature in the discipline has been fundamental in advancing planning theory, methodology, and practice. The other choices, while related to key developments in the history of urban planning, do not accurately reflect Shurtleff's primary contributions as they pertain more to the larger growth of the city planning profession as a whole or involve other individuals or events.