American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What was a characteristic feature of the New Towns developed during the mid 20th century?

1. High-rise apartment buildings

2. Integration of massive land subdivisions with few community facilities

3. Minimal open space and green areas

4. Focus on urban sprawl

The correct answer is: Integration of massive land subdivisions with few community facilities

The characteristic feature of the New Towns developed during the mid-20th century was the integration of massive land subdivisions with few community facilities. New Towns were conceived as a planning approach to address urban overcrowding and the issues resulting from rapid industrialization and population growth. The idea was to create self-contained communities that would provide housing, employment, and amenities. While these developments often featured large areas of land for residential use, they frequently lacked a sufficient mix of community facilities such as schools, parks, and recreational areas, which sometimes led to isolated living environments. This reflects the planning philosophy of the time, where the priority was often placed on the expansion of housing to meet demand over creating a balanced community infrastructure. The other choices do not accurately represent the core characteristics of New Towns. High-rise apartment buildings were not a defining feature; rather, single-family homes were typically more prevalent. Additionally, New Towns generally aimed to incorporate green spaces and not minimize them. Lastly, the focus on urban sprawl is contradictory to the New Towns concept, which sought to limit sprawl by developing new urban centers rather than allowing cities to expand indefinitely outward.