American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which urban planning movement does the McMillan Plan for Washington DC represent?

1. City Beautiful

2. New Urbanism

3. Smart Growth

4. Garden City

The correct answer is: City Beautiful

The McMillan Plan for Washington, D.C., is a quintessential example of the City Beautiful movement, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This movement emphasized the aesthetic and social aspects of urban design, advocating for grand, monumental architecture and public spaces that would enhance the quality of life and civic pride. The McMillan Plan, adopted in 1901, proposed a comprehensive redesign of the capital city, focusing on creating an aesthetically pleasing environment with open spaces, parks, and grand avenues that connected significant monuments and buildings. The plan aimed to transform Washington, D.C., into a model city that reflected democratic ideals through its visual and spatial organization. City Beautiful proponents believed that beautiful cities would promote moral and civic virtues among citizens, and the McMillan Plan embodied this philosophy by incorporating classical architecture and ample public spaces. The emphasis on aesthetics and formality in urban design is a defining characteristic of the City Beautiful movement and is evident in the lasting legacy of the McMillan Plan in Washington, D.C. In contrast, other movements such as New Urbanism, Smart Growth, and Garden City focus on different principles, such as walkability, mixed-use development, and environmental sustainability, which are not the primary concerns of the