American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which planning principle was notably applied to San Francisco's city plan in 1906?

1. Urban Renewal

2. City Beautiful

3. Smart Growth

4. New Urbanism

The correct answer is: City Beautiful

The City Beautiful movement played a significant role in shaping urban environments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advocating for the design of cities that emphasized beauty, harmony, and order. In San Francisco, the application of the City Beautiful principles was particularly evident following the devastation of the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire, which necessitated the rebuilding of the city. The movement aimed to connect urban planning with aesthetics and public values, promoting grand boulevards, parks, and monuments to enhance civic pride and social order. San Francisco's reconstruction after the disaster was influenced by this ideology, as planners and architects sought to create a more visually appealing and organized city. The inclusion of parks, landscaped areas, and wide avenues was intended not only to provide functional benefits but also to impart a sense of grandeur and beauty to the urban landscape. This approach contrasted with the other options listed, as Urban Renewal focused on the redevelopment of blighted areas often leading to displacement; Smart Growth emphasizes sustainable and compact development; and New Urbanism advocates for walkable neighborhoods and mixed-use developments, which emerged much later. Thus, the alignment of the City Beautiful principles with the reconstruction of San Francisco in 1906 highlights the movement's lasting impact on urban planning