AICP - American Institute of Certified Planners AICP Code of Ethics Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An AICP certified planner is employed by a county and owns a significant amount of stock in a real estate development corporation. The corporation submits a major subdivision application to the county. According to the AICP Code of Ethics, what is the planner's most critical responsibility in this situation?
- Sell the stock immediately to eliminate the financial interest.
- Use their professional judgment to review the application impartially.
- Provide a full written disclosure of the conflict to their employer and recuse themselves from working on the project. (Correct answer)
- Advise the developer on how to best meet the county's subdivision regulations.
Correct answer: Provide a full written disclosure of the conflict to their employer and recuse themselves from working on the project.
Rule of Conduct #5 states that a planner must not accept an assignment where they have a financial interest unless they make a full written disclosure to their employer and receive written permission to proceed. The safest and most ethical course of action is disclosure and recusal to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Question 2: According to the Aspirational Principles in Section A of the AICP Code of Ethics, a planner's primary obligation is to serve the:
- client or employer.
- public interest. (Correct answer)
- planning profession.
- elected officials.
Correct answer: public interest.
Section A of the AICP Code of Ethics explicitly states, 'Our primary obligation is to serve the public interest and we, therefore, owe our allegiance to a conscientiously attained concept of the public interest that is formulated through continuous and open debate.' While planners have responsibilities to clients, employers, and the profession, the duty to the public interest is paramount.
Question 3: A planner working for a private consulting firm is hired by a community group to oppose a proposed landfill. Three years prior, the same planner was employed by a different firm and worked on a technical report for a client that supported the landfill's siting. Which action must the planner take before accepting the new assignment?
- The planner cannot accept the assignment as it is a clear conflict of interest.
- The planner must determine in good faith that the new position will not harm the previous client and obtain written permission from the new client after full disclosure. (Correct answer)
- The planner can accept the assignment without disclosure as three years have passed.
- The planner must only inform their current employer about the potential conflict.
Correct answer: The planner must determine in good faith that the new position will not harm the previous client and obtain written permission from the new client after full disclosure.
Rule of Conduct #4 addresses advocating a position on an issue that is adverse to a previous client's position within the last three years. The planner must (1) determine in good faith that the change of position will not cause detriment to the previous client, and (2) make a full written disclosure to the current client and get their written permission to proceed.
Question 4: Which of the following actions is explicitly identified as a violation of the AICP Rules of Conduct?
- Failing to achieve an aspirational principle of the Code.
- Contributing time and effort to groups lacking adequate planning resources.
- Using the threat of filing an ethics charge to gain an advantage in dealings with another planner. (Correct answer)
- Sharing the results of experience and research that contribute to the body of planning knowledge.
Correct answer: Using the threat of filing an ethics charge to gain an advantage in dealings with another planner.
Rule of Conduct #23 explicitly states, 'We shall not use the threat of filing an ethics charge in order to gain, or attempt to gain, an advantage in dealings with another planner.' The other options are either not violations (failing to meet an aspirational principle is not subject to disciplinary action) or are encouraged behaviors (pro bono work and sharing knowledge).
Question 5: A city planner is part of a team negotiating the purchase of a property for a new public library. During a closed session, the city's maximum offer price is discussed. Later, a real estate agent friend asks the planner for information about the city's plans for that property. According to the AICP Code of Ethics, how should the planner respond?
- Share the information, as it will eventually become public record.
- Decline to provide the information, citing its confidential nature.
- Provide a general overview without revealing the specific maximum offer. (Correct answer)
- Suggest the agent file a formal public records request.
Correct answer: Provide a general overview without revealing the specific maximum offer.
Rule of Conduct #7 states, 'We shall not use to our own personal advantage, nor that of a subsequent client or employer, information gained in a professional relationship that the client or employer has requested be held inviolate or that we should recognize as confidential because its disclosure could result in embarrassment or other detriment to the client or employer.' The city's negotiation strategy is confidential, and disclosing it would be a violation.
Question 6: A junior planner is instructed by their supervisor, an AICP planner, to remove several key findings from a staff report that contradict the department's official recommendation on a rezoning case. The junior planner believes the removal will make the report misleading. According to the AICP Code of Ethics, the supervisor is in violation of which rule?
- Misrepresenting the qualifications of another professional.
- Failing to provide pro bono services to the community.
- Directing a professional to make an analysis or reach findings not supported by available evidence. (Correct answer)
- Accepting work beyond their professional competence.
Correct answer: Directing a professional to make an analysis or reach findings not supported by available evidence.
Rule of Conduct #18 states, 'We shall not direct or coerce other professionals to make analyses or reach findings not supported by available evidence.' Instructing a subordinate to alter a report by removing factual evidence to support a predetermined conclusion is a direct violation of this rule. This also relates to Rule #1, which prohibits providing inaccurate or misleading information.
AICP - American Institute of Certified Planners AICP Code of Ethics Questions and Answers
An AICP certified planner is employed by a county and owns a significant amount of stock in a real estate development corporation.
The corporation submits a major subdivision application to the county.
According to the AICP Code of Ethics, what is the planner's most critical responsibility in this situation?