American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which figure is recognized for his contributions to community organizing in Chicago's slums?

1. Ebenezer Howard

2. Saul Alinsky

3. Pierre Charles L'Enfant

4. Kevin Lynch

The correct answer is: Saul Alinsky

Saul Alinsky is recognized for his significant contributions to community organizing, particularly in the slums of Chicago. He is often regarded as the father of modern community organizing due to his innovative methods and strategies aimed at empowering marginalized communities. Alinsky focused on building grassroots movements and emphasized the importance of local leadership in creating social change. His work aimed to address issues such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of political representation, making substantial impacts in Chicago during the mid-20th century. His approach involved engaging residents, building coalitions, and using tactics that could effectively organize people to advocate for their needs and rights. "Rules for Radicals," one of his most famous works, outlines his philosophy on organizing and remains influential for activists today. In contrast, the other figures do not primarily focus on community organizing in urban slums. Ebenezer Howard is best known for his concepts related to garden cities and urban planning. Pierre Charles L'Enfant is recognized for his design of the layout of Washington D.C., emphasizing a planned urban environment rather than community organization. Kevin Lynch contributed to urban planning through his studies on how people perceive and navigate urban spaces, which doesn't directly relate to community organizing efforts.