American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Who authored "The Urban General Plan" in 1964?

1. T.J. Kent

2. Ian McHarg

3. Robert Moses

4. Jane Jacobs

The correct answer is: T.J. Kent

The correct answer is T.J. Kent, who authored "The Urban General Plan" in 1964. This work is significant in the field of urban planning as it provided a comprehensive framework for the development and implementation of urban planning principles and practices. Kent's book emphasized the importance of planning in urban environments and the necessity of a systematic approach to creating functional, sustainable cities. While Ian McHarg, Robert Moses, and Jane Jacobs have all made substantial contributions to urban planning, their focuses were different. McHarg is well-known for his work on ecological planning and landscape architecture, particularly through his book "Design with Nature." Robert Moses was a powerful urban planner and public official in New York, recognized for his major infrastructure projects, but he did not focus on general urban planning frameworks like Kent did. Jane Jacobs is celebrated for her observations on urban life and her critiques of conventional urban planning in "The Death and Life of Great American Cities," but her work came later and was more about community dynamics than about creating general plans. Thus, T.J. Kent's contribution in 1964 is pivotal for understanding the development of urban planning as a profession, establishing key concepts still relevant to planners today.