American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which locations are noted for the New Towns developed around the late 1940s?

1. Columbia, MD and Reston, VA

2. Levittown, NY and Park Forest, IL

3. Greenbrook, NJ and Columbia, MD

4. Reston, VA and Greenbrook, NJ

The correct answer is: Levittown, NY and Park Forest, IL

The New Towns that emerged in the late 1940s were part of a broader movement aimed at addressing post-World War II housing shortages and urban sprawl. Levittown, New York, is perhaps the most iconic of these developments, showcasing mass-produced housing that enabled a significant number of families to purchase affordable homes in suburban settings. The design and planning behind Levittown emphasized efficiency, community amenities, and accessibility. Park Forest, Illinois, was another notable New Town created in the same era. It was one of the first post-war planned communities and served as a prototype for socially conscious suburban development. It provided a model for integrating residential neighborhoods with commercial areas and public spaces, reflecting the principles of the New Town movement. While Columbia, MD is known as one of the planned communities from the 1960s and Reston, VA is recognized for its planned growth in the 1960s as well, these locations do not represent the New Towns developed specifically in the late 1940s. Greenbrook, NJ also does not align with the characteristics most associated with the New Town movement of that period. Choosing Levittown and Park Forest correctly identifies locations that are key examples of New Town developments from that time