AICP Exam Prep – Theories of Planning
Practice & Urban Development (2025/2026
Latest Exam Prep) | Complete Study Guide &
Verified Q&A
Rational Planning - correct answerSet Goals
Determine Alternatives
Evaluate the Alternatives
Choose an Alternative
Implement the Alternative
Evaluate
"satisfice" - correct answerdeveloped by Herbert Simon
the principle of bounded rationality, which accepts that the human mind is limited in its
ability to solve problems. We instead choose alternatives that are good enough.
We can never have complete information.
Assumes that a planner has perfect knowledge of all of the factors in a given situation.
A planner is able to evaluate all alternatives and is not constrained by limits of time and
money. - correct answerWhy is pure Rational Planning impossible?
"Administrative man" - correct answerHerbert Simon argues that the rational "economic
man" should be replaced by this. This satisfice because they do not have the means to
maximize their decisions.
Pure Rationality - correct answerassumes that a planner has perfect knowledge of all of
the factors in a given situation. A planner is able to evaluate all alternatives and is not
constrained by limits of time and money
those that are complicated and difficult to solve.
Rational planning can only work when the problem can be easily defined and there can
be a best solution. - correct answerWhat is a "wicked" problem and why does it not
allow Rational Planning to work?
Incremental Planning - correct answerPlanning theory introduced by Charles Lindblom
in 1959 in an article called "The Science of Muddling Through".
He argues that people accomplish goals through a series of successive, limited
comparisons.
,He suggests that planning has to be piecemeal, incremental, opportunistic, and
pragmatic. Argues that planning in the real world is not rational and comprehensive, but
is instead disjointed and incremental.
Charles Lindblom in 1959 - correct answerwho first introduce the theory of Incremental
Planning?
Problems are solved through a series of policies at different points in time, rather than
all at once. The planning process is focused on solving existing problems rather than on
achieving a future desired state. - correct answerWhat is one of the major problems with
Incremental Planning?
Amitai Etzioni - correct answerWho introduce the concept of mixed scanning?
Mixed scanning - correct answerCompromise between the rational and incremental
planning theories. Views planning decisions at two levels: the big picture and the small
picture.
Etzioni argues that fundamental policy-shaping decisions should be based on a more
careful rational analysis of alternatives. Implementation decisions should use an
incremental approach.
This is the use of Mixed scanning concept. - correct answerWhat was Amitai Etzioni's
argument on fundamental policy-shaping decisions and implementation decisions?
Advocacy Planning - correct answerDeveloped in the 1960s by Paul Davidoff as a way
to represent the interests of groups within a community.
Davidoff argued that planners should represent special interest groups rather than
acting for the good of the whole community. - correct answerWhy did Paul Davidoff
argue that planning for the good of the whole results in inadequate representation for
many groups in planning?
Advocacy planner - correct answerPlanner responsible for a particular interest group in
the community and would create plans that express that group's values and objectives.
Planner would either work directly for the interest group or as an inside advocate at city
hall.
Advocacy Planning - correct answerWhat type of planning theory is Norman Krumholz
equity planning in Cleveland, during the 1970s. Helped make the needs of its low-
income groups the highest priority.
He believed planners should work to redistribute power, resources, or participation
away from the elite and toward the poor and working-class residents of the community.
Transactive planning - correct answerPlanning theory was developed in the 1970s as a
way to get the public involved in the planning process.
, n 1973, John Friedmann published a book titled Retracking America: A Theory of
Transactive Planning. - correct answerWho and how was Transactive Planning
developed?
The planner meets with individuals in the community to discuss issues. Through a
process of "mutual learning" the planner shares technical knowledge, while the citizen
provide community knowledge. The planner meets with many people in the community
in order to develop a plan. - correct answerWhat is the process of Transactive
Planning?
Takes a large amount of time to meet with individuals and utilize the mutual learning
process.
How do you evaluate the importance of each person's community knowledge
Cannot work in situations in which there are large differences in opinion and/or many
stakeholders. - correct answerWhat are the major criticisms of transactive planning?
Radical planning - correct answerTakes the power away from the government and gives
it to the people. In this process, citizens get together and develop their own plans.
In 1987, John Friedmann published a book titled Planning in the Public Domain: From
Knowledge to Action - correct answerHow was Radical Planning created?
It is not possible to implement as theorized. We do not have a governmental structure
that would allow neighborhoods or individual groups to develop and implement their
own plans. - correct answerWhat is the problem with Radical Planning?
Communicative Planning; aka Communicative Rationality - correct answerCurrently the
theory of choice. More open planning that includes a much more intensive citizen
participation process.
This theory recognizes that planning operates within the realm of politics, and that it
contains a variety of stakeholder interests. Tries to use a rational model as a basis for
bringing mutual understanding among all stakeholders. Planners can provide the
stakeholders with information and bring people together to discuss the issues.
To listen to people's stories and assist in forging a consensus among different
viewpoints. The planner's role is to mediate among stakeholders through talk and
discussion. Here, social interaction can be structured to foster group understanding and
consensus. - correct answerWhat is a communicative planner's primary function?
Rational
Incremental
Mixed Scanning
Advocacy
Transactive
Practice & Urban Development (2025/2026
Latest Exam Prep) | Complete Study Guide &
Verified Q&A
Rational Planning - correct answerSet Goals
Determine Alternatives
Evaluate the Alternatives
Choose an Alternative
Implement the Alternative
Evaluate
"satisfice" - correct answerdeveloped by Herbert Simon
the principle of bounded rationality, which accepts that the human mind is limited in its
ability to solve problems. We instead choose alternatives that are good enough.
We can never have complete information.
Assumes that a planner has perfect knowledge of all of the factors in a given situation.
A planner is able to evaluate all alternatives and is not constrained by limits of time and
money. - correct answerWhy is pure Rational Planning impossible?
"Administrative man" - correct answerHerbert Simon argues that the rational "economic
man" should be replaced by this. This satisfice because they do not have the means to
maximize their decisions.
Pure Rationality - correct answerassumes that a planner has perfect knowledge of all of
the factors in a given situation. A planner is able to evaluate all alternatives and is not
constrained by limits of time and money
those that are complicated and difficult to solve.
Rational planning can only work when the problem can be easily defined and there can
be a best solution. - correct answerWhat is a "wicked" problem and why does it not
allow Rational Planning to work?
Incremental Planning - correct answerPlanning theory introduced by Charles Lindblom
in 1959 in an article called "The Science of Muddling Through".
He argues that people accomplish goals through a series of successive, limited
comparisons.
,He suggests that planning has to be piecemeal, incremental, opportunistic, and
pragmatic. Argues that planning in the real world is not rational and comprehensive, but
is instead disjointed and incremental.
Charles Lindblom in 1959 - correct answerwho first introduce the theory of Incremental
Planning?
Problems are solved through a series of policies at different points in time, rather than
all at once. The planning process is focused on solving existing problems rather than on
achieving a future desired state. - correct answerWhat is one of the major problems with
Incremental Planning?
Amitai Etzioni - correct answerWho introduce the concept of mixed scanning?
Mixed scanning - correct answerCompromise between the rational and incremental
planning theories. Views planning decisions at two levels: the big picture and the small
picture.
Etzioni argues that fundamental policy-shaping decisions should be based on a more
careful rational analysis of alternatives. Implementation decisions should use an
incremental approach.
This is the use of Mixed scanning concept. - correct answerWhat was Amitai Etzioni's
argument on fundamental policy-shaping decisions and implementation decisions?
Advocacy Planning - correct answerDeveloped in the 1960s by Paul Davidoff as a way
to represent the interests of groups within a community.
Davidoff argued that planners should represent special interest groups rather than
acting for the good of the whole community. - correct answerWhy did Paul Davidoff
argue that planning for the good of the whole results in inadequate representation for
many groups in planning?
Advocacy planner - correct answerPlanner responsible for a particular interest group in
the community and would create plans that express that group's values and objectives.
Planner would either work directly for the interest group or as an inside advocate at city
hall.
Advocacy Planning - correct answerWhat type of planning theory is Norman Krumholz
equity planning in Cleveland, during the 1970s. Helped make the needs of its low-
income groups the highest priority.
He believed planners should work to redistribute power, resources, or participation
away from the elite and toward the poor and working-class residents of the community.
Transactive planning - correct answerPlanning theory was developed in the 1970s as a
way to get the public involved in the planning process.
, n 1973, John Friedmann published a book titled Retracking America: A Theory of
Transactive Planning. - correct answerWho and how was Transactive Planning
developed?
The planner meets with individuals in the community to discuss issues. Through a
process of "mutual learning" the planner shares technical knowledge, while the citizen
provide community knowledge. The planner meets with many people in the community
in order to develop a plan. - correct answerWhat is the process of Transactive
Planning?
Takes a large amount of time to meet with individuals and utilize the mutual learning
process.
How do you evaluate the importance of each person's community knowledge
Cannot work in situations in which there are large differences in opinion and/or many
stakeholders. - correct answerWhat are the major criticisms of transactive planning?
Radical planning - correct answerTakes the power away from the government and gives
it to the people. In this process, citizens get together and develop their own plans.
In 1987, John Friedmann published a book titled Planning in the Public Domain: From
Knowledge to Action - correct answerHow was Radical Planning created?
It is not possible to implement as theorized. We do not have a governmental structure
that would allow neighborhoods or individual groups to develop and implement their
own plans. - correct answerWhat is the problem with Radical Planning?
Communicative Planning; aka Communicative Rationality - correct answerCurrently the
theory of choice. More open planning that includes a much more intensive citizen
participation process.
This theory recognizes that planning operates within the realm of politics, and that it
contains a variety of stakeholder interests. Tries to use a rational model as a basis for
bringing mutual understanding among all stakeholders. Planners can provide the
stakeholders with information and bring people together to discuss the issues.
To listen to people's stories and assist in forging a consensus among different
viewpoints. The planner's role is to mediate among stakeholders through talk and
discussion. Here, social interaction can be structured to foster group understanding and
consensus. - correct answerWhat is a communicative planner's primary function?
Rational
Incremental
Mixed Scanning
Advocacy
Transactive
