American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

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Which county formed the first regional planning commission and when?

  1. San Francisco County in 1920

  2. Los Angeles County in 1922

  3. Cook County in 1930

  4. Miami-Dade County in 1940

The correct answer is: Los Angeles County in 1922

The first regional planning commission was established in Los Angeles County in 1922. This was a significant development in the field of urban and regional planning, as it marked the formal recognition of the need for coordinated planning efforts across multiple jurisdictions. The establishment of the commission was driven by the rapid growth of the Los Angeles region during that era, which brought challenges related to land use, transportation, and infrastructure. The formation of the regional planning commission in Los Angeles set a precedent for other areas to create similar bodies, emphasizing collaboration among local governments to address common urban issues. This commission served as a model for regional planning activities that combine efforts of various localities, recognizing that urban problems often stretch beyond single municipal boundaries. The other options represent later developments in regional planning and do not reflect the pioneering efforts initiated by Los Angeles County. Cook County, for example, established its planning commission in 1930, and while San Francisco County and Miami-Dade County contributed to regional planning efforts, they did so in later decades. Therefore, the correct answer highlights an important milestone in the history of regional planning in the United States.