How did Daniel Burnham’s work at the World’s Columbian Exposition change his interest in city planning?

Daniel Burnham’s role as director of works for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition served as a pivotal turning point in his career, sparking a profound interest in city planning and parks.12

By overseeing the construction of the fair—a massive, cohesive project involving infrastructure, transportation, and grand Neoclassical architecture—Burnham developed the belief that an improved, orderly urban environment could provide a positive, transformative experience for its inhabitants. This holistic approach, which integrated civic centers, green spaces, and efficient design, became the foundation for the City Beautiful movement.123

Following the fair, Burnham applied these principles to real-world urban challenges, moving away from individual building design toward comprehensive planning. This shift led to his influential work on the McMillan Plan for Washington, D.C., as well as his masterwork, the 1909 Plan of Chicago, which viewed the city as an interconnected, organic whole rather than a collection of isolated structures.23