AICP EXAM: LATEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BREAKDOWN |
2026/2027 UPDATE | GRADED A+
Exploratory Research - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER Provides factual picture/diagrams (demographics, land use, traffic).
Planning: existing conditions reports in comprehensive plans.
Explanatory/Analytical Research - ANSWER Seeks cause/effect (e.g. TOD reduces VMT). Planning:
evaluate effectiveness of zoning or policies.
Experimental/Quasi-Experimental Designs - ANSWER Randomized experiments vs. before and after
or matched pairs. Planning: road diet or pilot project evaluations.
Rational Comprehensive Theory - ANSWER (Faludi) Structured, step by step decision making;
emphasizes analysis and data. Planning: foundational but critiqued for ignoring politics and
uncertainty.
Incrementalism - ANSWER (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 - ANSWER (Amitai Etzioni) Combines broad strategic review with incremental; steps.
Planning: useful in comprehensive plan updates with phased actions.
Advocacy Planning - ANSWER (Paul Davidoff) Pluralism and representation; planners advocate for
underrepresented groups. Planning: basis for equity-focused planning and community engagement.
Equity Planning - ANSWER (Norman Krumholz) Redistribute resources to marginalized populations.
Planning: shaped Cleveland planning in the 1970's; inspires modern equity practice.
Communicative/Collaborative Planning - ANSWER (Jurgen Habermas, Patsy Healey, John Forester)
Concensus building, deliberative democracy, communication as a core of planning. Planning:
charrettes, collaborative governance, participatory budgeting.
,Transactive Planning - ANSWER (John Friedmann) Planner learns through direct interaction with the
public. Planning: Bottom-up learning; strong in community development practice.
City Beautiful Movement - ANSWER (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 - ANSWER (Ebenezer Howard) Late 1800's: self-contained towns with
greenbelts and balanced land uses. Planning: influenced New Towns, Letchworth, and Columbia, MD.
Neighborhood Unit - ANSWER (Clarence Perry) 1920's: design based on walkable neighborhoods,
elementary schools at the center. Planning: foundation for zoning of residential neighborhoods.
Regionalism - ANSWER (Patrick Geddes, Lewis Mumford) Planning at regional scale, integrating
environment and economy. Planning: inspired metropolitan planning and regional governance.
New Urbanism - ANSWER (CNU, Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk) 1990's movement: mixed
use, walkable, human scale design. Planning: form based codes, Seaside FL, SmartCode.
Smart Growth - ANSWER (EPA Principles) 1990's-2000's: compact development, TOD, open space
preservation, housing mix. Planning
Police Power - ANSWER Authority of states/local governments to regulate health, safety, morals, and
welfare. Planning: legal basis for zoning and land use regulation.
Due Process (Procedural) - ANSWER Notice and hearing. Planning: zoning hearings and adoption of
ordinances must meet due process.
Due Process (Substantive) - ANSWER Law must serve public purpose. Planning: zoning hearings and
adoption of ordinances must meet due process.
Equal Protection - ANSWER Required similarly situated individuals treated alike; triggers scrutiny for
suspect classes. Planning: applies to housing, zoning, and anti-discrimination cases.
,Regulatory Takings - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER Exactions must meet essential nexus and rough
proportionality; applies to monetary conditions (Koontz). Planning: guides impact fees, conditions of
approval.
Systems Thinking - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER Levels: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate,
Empower. Planning: guide for matching engagement techniques to goals.
Public Meetings & Hearings - ANSWER Formal venues often required by law; may not be inclusive.
Planning: ensure notice, accessibility, interpreters if needed.
Workshops & Charrettes - ANSWER Interactive, design-focused sessions encouraging collaborations.
planning: effective for neighborhood or corridor plans.
, Surveys & Online Platforms - ANSWER Tools for broad input, can expand reach but risk bias if not
representative. planning: supplement in-person events.
Pop-Up Engagement/Intercept Surveys - ANSWER Meeting people in everyday setting (Markets, bus
stops). Planning: engages harder to reach groups.
Participatory Budgeting - ANSWER A budgeting process that starts with departmental managers and
flows up through middle management and then to top management. Each new level of management
has responsibility for reviewing and negotiating any changes in the proposed budget. Planning: builds
trust and empowers residents.
Visual Preference Surveys - ANSWER Participants rank or select preferred built-environment images.
Planning: used in urban design and zoning updates.
Language Access & ADA Compliance - ANSWER Provide translations, interpreters, ADA accessible
formats. Planning: ensures equitable participation and legal compliance.
Digital Divide Considerations - ANSWER Not all stakeholders have equal access to online tools.
planning: balancing online and in-person methods.
Participation Plans and Outreach Logs - ANSWER Pre-plan methods, document outreach, and track
participation. Planning: ensures transparency and defensibility of decisions.
Comment Matrix - ANSWER Table summarizing comments, responses, and actions taken. Planning:
demonstrates how feedback was considered.
Staff Reports and Briefings - ANSWER Concise background, options, staff recommendations, and
findings tied to code/plan. Planning: informs commissions and councils for defensible decisions.
Ex Parte Communication - ANSWER communication with the court or council without notifying the
other side of the contents of that communication. Undermines fairness. Planning: disclose and
document if it occurs.
Media and Public Information - ANSWER Stick to adopted policy and facts; coordinate with PIO.
Planning: protects credibility and avoids misrepresentation.
2026/2027 UPDATE | GRADED A+
Exploratory Research - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER Provides factual picture/diagrams (demographics, land use, traffic).
Planning: existing conditions reports in comprehensive plans.
Explanatory/Analytical Research - ANSWER Seeks cause/effect (e.g. TOD reduces VMT). Planning:
evaluate effectiveness of zoning or policies.
Experimental/Quasi-Experimental Designs - ANSWER Randomized experiments vs. before and after
or matched pairs. Planning: road diet or pilot project evaluations.
Rational Comprehensive Theory - ANSWER (Faludi) Structured, step by step decision making;
emphasizes analysis and data. Planning: foundational but critiqued for ignoring politics and
uncertainty.
Incrementalism - ANSWER (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 - ANSWER (Amitai Etzioni) Combines broad strategic review with incremental; steps.
Planning: useful in comprehensive plan updates with phased actions.
Advocacy Planning - ANSWER (Paul Davidoff) Pluralism and representation; planners advocate for
underrepresented groups. Planning: basis for equity-focused planning and community engagement.
Equity Planning - ANSWER (Norman Krumholz) Redistribute resources to marginalized populations.
Planning: shaped Cleveland planning in the 1970's; inspires modern equity practice.
Communicative/Collaborative Planning - ANSWER (Jurgen Habermas, Patsy Healey, John Forester)
Concensus building, deliberative democracy, communication as a core of planning. Planning:
charrettes, collaborative governance, participatory budgeting.
,Transactive Planning - ANSWER (John Friedmann) Planner learns through direct interaction with the
public. Planning: Bottom-up learning; strong in community development practice.
City Beautiful Movement - ANSWER (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 - ANSWER (Ebenezer Howard) Late 1800's: self-contained towns with
greenbelts and balanced land uses. Planning: influenced New Towns, Letchworth, and Columbia, MD.
Neighborhood Unit - ANSWER (Clarence Perry) 1920's: design based on walkable neighborhoods,
elementary schools at the center. Planning: foundation for zoning of residential neighborhoods.
Regionalism - ANSWER (Patrick Geddes, Lewis Mumford) Planning at regional scale, integrating
environment and economy. Planning: inspired metropolitan planning and regional governance.
New Urbanism - ANSWER (CNU, Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk) 1990's movement: mixed
use, walkable, human scale design. Planning: form based codes, Seaside FL, SmartCode.
Smart Growth - ANSWER (EPA Principles) 1990's-2000's: compact development, TOD, open space
preservation, housing mix. Planning
Police Power - ANSWER Authority of states/local governments to regulate health, safety, morals, and
welfare. Planning: legal basis for zoning and land use regulation.
Due Process (Procedural) - ANSWER Notice and hearing. Planning: zoning hearings and adoption of
ordinances must meet due process.
Due Process (Substantive) - ANSWER Law must serve public purpose. Planning: zoning hearings and
adoption of ordinances must meet due process.
Equal Protection - ANSWER Required similarly situated individuals treated alike; triggers scrutiny for
suspect classes. Planning: applies to housing, zoning, and anti-discrimination cases.
,Regulatory Takings - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER Exactions must meet essential nexus and rough
proportionality; applies to monetary conditions (Koontz). Planning: guides impact fees, conditions of
approval.
Systems Thinking - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER Levels: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate,
Empower. Planning: guide for matching engagement techniques to goals.
Public Meetings & Hearings - ANSWER Formal venues often required by law; may not be inclusive.
Planning: ensure notice, accessibility, interpreters if needed.
Workshops & Charrettes - ANSWER Interactive, design-focused sessions encouraging collaborations.
planning: effective for neighborhood or corridor plans.
, Surveys & Online Platforms - ANSWER Tools for broad input, can expand reach but risk bias if not
representative. planning: supplement in-person events.
Pop-Up Engagement/Intercept Surveys - ANSWER Meeting people in everyday setting (Markets, bus
stops). Planning: engages harder to reach groups.
Participatory Budgeting - ANSWER A budgeting process that starts with departmental managers and
flows up through middle management and then to top management. Each new level of management
has responsibility for reviewing and negotiating any changes in the proposed budget. Planning: builds
trust and empowers residents.
Visual Preference Surveys - ANSWER Participants rank or select preferred built-environment images.
Planning: used in urban design and zoning updates.
Language Access & ADA Compliance - ANSWER Provide translations, interpreters, ADA accessible
formats. Planning: ensures equitable participation and legal compliance.
Digital Divide Considerations - ANSWER Not all stakeholders have equal access to online tools.
planning: balancing online and in-person methods.
Participation Plans and Outreach Logs - ANSWER Pre-plan methods, document outreach, and track
participation. Planning: ensures transparency and defensibility of decisions.
Comment Matrix - ANSWER Table summarizing comments, responses, and actions taken. Planning:
demonstrates how feedback was considered.
Staff Reports and Briefings - ANSWER Concise background, options, staff recommendations, and
findings tied to code/plan. Planning: informs commissions and councils for defensible decisions.
Ex Parte Communication - ANSWER communication with the court or council without notifying the
other side of the contents of that communication. Undermines fairness. Planning: disclose and
document if it occurs.
Media and Public Information - ANSWER Stick to adopted policy and facts; coordinate with PIO.
Planning: protects credibility and avoids misrepresentation.
