American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which planning concept is associated with a large-scale, visionary approach to urban spaces pioneered by Burnham?

1. Smart Growth

2. The City Beautiful Movement

3. New Urbanism

4. Value-based Planning

The correct answer is: The City Beautiful Movement

The City Beautiful Movement is the planning concept associated with a large-scale, visionary approach to urban spaces that was pioneered by Daniel Burnham. This movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily in response to the rapid urbanization and industrialization occurring across the United States. The City Beautiful Movement emphasized the importance of aesthetically pleasing and well-designed urban environments. The intention was to improve the quality of life in cities through grand architecture, public parks, and a harmonious layout, ultimately fostering civic pride and social order. Burnham, a leading figure in this movement, is best known for his work on the 1909 Plan of Chicago, which sought to reshape the city with a focus on monumental and civic buildings, wide boulevards, and public spaces that inspire community gathering and connectivity. This emphasis on visual beauty and urban design was a significant departure from earlier, more utilitarian approaches to city planning. Other concepts such as Smart Growth and New Urbanism focus on sustainable development and community design but do not primarily emphasize the grand and monumental aesthetic that the City Beautiful Movement embodies. Value-based planning, meanwhile, involves prioritizing certain community values in planning decisions but does not relate specifically to the large-scale, visionary urban design aspects characteristic