2025 AICP Certification Exam Study
Questions and Answers46
Exploratory Research - ANSWERS-Used at early stages when little is known; relies on interviews,
focus groups, and literature review. Planning: Scoping new issues (e.g. micromobility adoption).
Descriptive Research - ANSWERS-Provides factual picture/diagrams (demographics, land use,
traffic). Planning: existing conditions reports in comprehensive plans.
Explanatory/Analytical Research - ANSWERS-Seeks cause/effect (e.g. TOD reduces VMT).
Planning: evaluate effectiveness of zoning or policies.
Experimental/Quasi-Experimental Designs - ANSWERS-Randomized experiments vs. before and
after or matched pairs. Planning: road diet or pilot project evaluations.
Rational Comprehensive Theory - ANSWERS-(Faludi) Structured, step by step decision making;
emphasizes analysis and data. Planning: foundational but critiqued for ignoring politics and
uncertainty.
Incrementalism - ANSWERS-(Charles Lindblom) "Muddling through" small changes rather than
big plans. Planning: common in real-world local politics; protects against large errors but
preserves the status quo.
Mixed Scanning - ANSWERS-(Amitai Etzioni) Combines broad strategic review with incremental;
steps. Planning: useful in comprehensive plan updates with phased actions.
,Advocacy Planning - ANSWERS-(Paul Davidoff) Pluralism and representation; planners advocate
for underrepresented groups. Planning: basis for equity-focused planning and community
engagement.
Equity Planning - ANSWERS-(Norman Krumholz) Redistribute resources to marginalized
populations. Planning: shaped Cleveland planning in the 1970's; inspires modern equity
practice.
Communicative/Collaborative Planning - ANSWERS-(Jurgen Habermas, Patsy Healey, John
Forester) Concensus building, deliberative democracy, communication as a core of planning.
Planning: charrettes, collaborative governance, participatory budgeting.
Transactive Planning - ANSWERS-(John Friedmann) Planner learns through direct interaction
with the public. Planning: Bottom-up learning; strong in community development practice.
City Beautiful Movement - ANSWERS-(Daniel Burnham) 1890's-1900's; emphasized monumental
design, civic centers, axial boulevards. Planning: influences Washington D.C. plan and Chicago's
1909 plan.
Garden City Movement - ANSWERS-(Ebenezer Howard) Late 1800's: self-contained towns with
greenbelts and balanced land uses. Planning: influenced New Towns, Letchworth, and
Columbia, MD.
Neighborhood Unit - ANSWERS-(Clarence Perry) 1920's: design based on walkable
neighborhoods, elementary schools at the center. Planning: foundation for zoning of residential
neighborhoods.
Regionalism - ANSWERS-(Patrick Geddes, Lewis Mumford) Planning at regional scale, integrating
environment and economy. Planning: inspired metropolitan planning and regional governance.
,New Urbanism - ANSWERS-(CNU, Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk) 1990's movement:
mixed use, walkable, human scale design. Planning: form based codes, Seaside FL, SmartCode.
Smart Growth - ANSWERS-(EPA Principles) 1990's-2000's: compact development, TOD, open
space preservation, housing mix. Planning
Police Power - ANSWERS-Authority of states/local governments to regulate health, safety,
morals, and welfare. Planning: legal basis for zoning and land use regulation.
Due Process (Procedural) - ANSWERS-Notice and hearing. Planning: zoning hearings and
adoption of ordinances must meet due process.
Due Process (Substantive) - ANSWERS-Law must serve public purpose. Planning: zoning hearings
and adoption of ordinances must meet due process.
Equal Protection - ANSWERS-Required similarly situated individuals treated alike; triggers
scrutiny for suspect classes. Planning: applies to housing, zoning, and anti-discrimination cases.
Regulatory Takings - ANSWERS-when a government action results in a reduction in the value of
private property; such instances are usually not subject to compensation under the
Constitution, unless most of the value of property is destroyed. Planning: sets limits on zoning,
exactions, and regulations.
Physical Takings - ANSWERS-Use of eminent domain; Govt occupation of property and the
taking of the title to property. Planning: sets limits on zoning, exactions, and regulations.
Nollan/Dolan/Koontz Tests - ANSWERS-Exactions must meet essential nexus and rough
proportionality; applies to monetary conditions (Koontz). Planning: guides impact fees,
conditions of approval.
, Systems Thinking - ANSWERS-Interconnectedness of land use, transportation, housing,
environment, economy, equity, and health. Planning: identify co-benefits (e.g. green
infrastructure) and tradeoffs (e.g. TOD + Displacement risk).
Arnstein's Ladder of Citizen Participation - ANSWERS-1. manipulation
2. therapy
3. informing
4. consultation
5. placation
6. partnership
7. delegated power
8. citizen control
Highlights degrees of public power. Planning: helps evaluate the depth of participations (Inform
vs. empower).
IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation - ANSWERS-Levels: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate,
Empower. Planning: guide for matching engagement techniques to goals.
Public Meetings & Hearings - ANSWERS-Formal venues often required by law; may not be
inclusive. Planning: ensure notice, accessibility, interpreters if needed.
Workshops & Charrettes - ANSWERS-Interactive, design-focused sessions encouraging
collaborations. planning: effective for neighborhood or corridor plans.
Surveys & Online Platforms - ANSWERS-Tools for broad input, can expand reach but risk bias if
not representative. planning: supplement in-person events.
Pop-Up Engagement/Intercept Surveys - ANSWERS-Meeting people in everyday setting
(Markets, bus stops). Planning: engages harder to reach groups.
Questions and Answers46
Exploratory Research - ANSWERS-Used at early stages when little is known; relies on interviews,
focus groups, and literature review. Planning: Scoping new issues (e.g. micromobility adoption).
Descriptive Research - ANSWERS-Provides factual picture/diagrams (demographics, land use,
traffic). Planning: existing conditions reports in comprehensive plans.
Explanatory/Analytical Research - ANSWERS-Seeks cause/effect (e.g. TOD reduces VMT).
Planning: evaluate effectiveness of zoning or policies.
Experimental/Quasi-Experimental Designs - ANSWERS-Randomized experiments vs. before and
after or matched pairs. Planning: road diet or pilot project evaluations.
Rational Comprehensive Theory - ANSWERS-(Faludi) Structured, step by step decision making;
emphasizes analysis and data. Planning: foundational but critiqued for ignoring politics and
uncertainty.
Incrementalism - ANSWERS-(Charles Lindblom) "Muddling through" small changes rather than
big plans. Planning: common in real-world local politics; protects against large errors but
preserves the status quo.
Mixed Scanning - ANSWERS-(Amitai Etzioni) Combines broad strategic review with incremental;
steps. Planning: useful in comprehensive plan updates with phased actions.
,Advocacy Planning - ANSWERS-(Paul Davidoff) Pluralism and representation; planners advocate
for underrepresented groups. Planning: basis for equity-focused planning and community
engagement.
Equity Planning - ANSWERS-(Norman Krumholz) Redistribute resources to marginalized
populations. Planning: shaped Cleveland planning in the 1970's; inspires modern equity
practice.
Communicative/Collaborative Planning - ANSWERS-(Jurgen Habermas, Patsy Healey, John
Forester) Concensus building, deliberative democracy, communication as a core of planning.
Planning: charrettes, collaborative governance, participatory budgeting.
Transactive Planning - ANSWERS-(John Friedmann) Planner learns through direct interaction
with the public. Planning: Bottom-up learning; strong in community development practice.
City Beautiful Movement - ANSWERS-(Daniel Burnham) 1890's-1900's; emphasized monumental
design, civic centers, axial boulevards. Planning: influences Washington D.C. plan and Chicago's
1909 plan.
Garden City Movement - ANSWERS-(Ebenezer Howard) Late 1800's: self-contained towns with
greenbelts and balanced land uses. Planning: influenced New Towns, Letchworth, and
Columbia, MD.
Neighborhood Unit - ANSWERS-(Clarence Perry) 1920's: design based on walkable
neighborhoods, elementary schools at the center. Planning: foundation for zoning of residential
neighborhoods.
Regionalism - ANSWERS-(Patrick Geddes, Lewis Mumford) Planning at regional scale, integrating
environment and economy. Planning: inspired metropolitan planning and regional governance.
,New Urbanism - ANSWERS-(CNU, Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk) 1990's movement:
mixed use, walkable, human scale design. Planning: form based codes, Seaside FL, SmartCode.
Smart Growth - ANSWERS-(EPA Principles) 1990's-2000's: compact development, TOD, open
space preservation, housing mix. Planning
Police Power - ANSWERS-Authority of states/local governments to regulate health, safety,
morals, and welfare. Planning: legal basis for zoning and land use regulation.
Due Process (Procedural) - ANSWERS-Notice and hearing. Planning: zoning hearings and
adoption of ordinances must meet due process.
Due Process (Substantive) - ANSWERS-Law must serve public purpose. Planning: zoning hearings
and adoption of ordinances must meet due process.
Equal Protection - ANSWERS-Required similarly situated individuals treated alike; triggers
scrutiny for suspect classes. Planning: applies to housing, zoning, and anti-discrimination cases.
Regulatory Takings - ANSWERS-when a government action results in a reduction in the value of
private property; such instances are usually not subject to compensation under the
Constitution, unless most of the value of property is destroyed. Planning: sets limits on zoning,
exactions, and regulations.
Physical Takings - ANSWERS-Use of eminent domain; Govt occupation of property and the
taking of the title to property. Planning: sets limits on zoning, exactions, and regulations.
Nollan/Dolan/Koontz Tests - ANSWERS-Exactions must meet essential nexus and rough
proportionality; applies to monetary conditions (Koontz). Planning: guides impact fees,
conditions of approval.
, Systems Thinking - ANSWERS-Interconnectedness of land use, transportation, housing,
environment, economy, equity, and health. Planning: identify co-benefits (e.g. green
infrastructure) and tradeoffs (e.g. TOD + Displacement risk).
Arnstein's Ladder of Citizen Participation - ANSWERS-1. manipulation
2. therapy
3. informing
4. consultation
5. placation
6. partnership
7. delegated power
8. citizen control
Highlights degrees of public power. Planning: helps evaluate the depth of participations (Inform
vs. empower).
IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation - ANSWERS-Levels: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate,
Empower. Planning: guide for matching engagement techniques to goals.
Public Meetings & Hearings - ANSWERS-Formal venues often required by law; may not be
inclusive. Planning: ensure notice, accessibility, interpreters if needed.
Workshops & Charrettes - ANSWERS-Interactive, design-focused sessions encouraging
collaborations. planning: effective for neighborhood or corridor plans.
Surveys & Online Platforms - ANSWERS-Tools for broad input, can expand reach but risk bias if
not representative. planning: supplement in-person events.
Pop-Up Engagement/Intercept Surveys - ANSWERS-Meeting people in everyday setting
(Markets, bus stops). Planning: engages harder to reach groups.
