American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which movement emphasizes aesthetics, public beautification, and parks as social gathering spaces?

1. Sanitary Movement

2. City Beautiful Movement

3. Garden City Movement

4. New Urbanism

The correct answer is: City Beautiful Movement

The City Beautiful Movement is centered around improving the urban landscape through the application of classical architectural principles and the enhancement of public spaces. This movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the rapid industrialization and urban congestion in American cities. Advocates of the City Beautiful Movement sought to promote aesthetically pleasing environments that could uplift societal values and empower communities. By emphasizing the design of parks, civic centers, and grand boulevards, the movement aimed to create places where people could gather and interact, fostering social cohesion. The belief was that beautiful surroundings would have a positive impact on the behavior of individuals and that such environments would promote civic pride and social responsibility. The movement notably influenced urban planning policies and public spaces in numerous cities across the United States, leading to the development of significant parks and public buildings. In contrast, other movements focus on different aspects of urban life, such as public health in the Sanitary Movement, an integration of garden-like environments and urban features in the Garden City Movement, or the principles of walkability and mixed-use neighborhoods in New Urbanism. While these movements contribute to urban planning in their unique ways, the primary focus on aesthetics and public beautification aligns most closely with the City Beautiful Movement.