American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What was the focus of the Regional Plan for New York and Environs created between 1922 and 1929?

1. Urban housing development

2. Suburban development and highway construction

3. Public transportation improvement

4. Environmental protection initiatives

The correct answer is: Suburban development and highway construction

The Regional Plan for New York and Environs, developed during the late 1920s, concentrated primarily on suburban development and the construction of highways. This plan emerged during a time of significant urban and suburban growth, driven by the increasing mobility afforded by the automobile. The emphasis on suburban development was crucial as planners recognized the need to expand beyond the urban core to accommodate a growing population and evolving lifestyles. The plan proposed extensive systems of highways to connect outlying areas with the city, acknowledging the shift towards a more decentralized living pattern. While aspects such as public transportation, urban housing, and environmental considerations were acknowledged in broader planning discourses, the central thrust of this specific plan was the infrastructure necessary to support and facilitate suburban expansion, which included the design and implementation of new roadways and highways to improve connectivity and accessibility for residents in the surrounding regions.