AICP Functional Areas of Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which functional area of planning focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through land use decisions and transportation networks?
- Environmental impact assessment
- Climate change mitigation planning (Correct answer)
- Natural hazards mitigation
- Air quality management
Correct answer: Climate change mitigation planning
Climate change mitigation planning addresses GHG reductions through integrated land use and transportation strategies.
Question 2: A planner working on a 'complete streets' policy is primarily operating in which functional area?
- Economic development
- Transportation planning (Correct answer)
- Urban design
- Housing policy
Correct answer: Transportation planning
Complete streets policies fall under transportation planning, aiming to accommodate all users including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
Question 3: What planning functional area addresses the distribution of public facilities to ensure equitable service across communities?
- Capital improvement programming
- Facilities planning (Correct answer)
- Infrastructure financing
- Urban service delivery
Correct answer: Facilities planning
Facilities planning ensures the equitable distribution and adequacy of public services such as schools, parks, and utilities.
Question 4: When a planner develops a strategy to attract technology firms to a post-industrial city, this primarily reflects which functional area?
- Land use planning
- Economic development planning (Correct answer)
- Redevelopment planning
- Urban design
Correct answer: Economic development planning
Economic development planning focuses on strategies to grow the local economy, attract investment, and create jobs.
Question 5: Which functional area includes preparing hazard mitigation plans required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000?
- Environmental planning
- Emergency management planning (Correct answer)
- Infrastructure planning
- Land use planning
Correct answer: Emergency management planning
Emergency management planning, including hazard mitigation plans, is required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 for communities to receive FEMA pre-disaster grants.
Question 6: A planner preparing a park, trail, and open space master plan is working within which functional area?
- Urban design
- Recreation and open space planning (Correct answer)
- Environmental planning
- Community development
Correct answer: Recreation and open space planning
Recreation and open space planning encompasses master plans for parks, greenways, trails, and natural areas.
Question 7: Which functional area of practice encompasses the creation of affordable housing programs and inclusionary zoning ordinances?
- Community development
- Housing planning (Correct answer)
- Social services planning
- Land use planning
Correct answer: Housing planning
Housing planning specifically addresses affordability, inclusionary zoning, and housing stock conditions.
AICP Functional Areas of Practice 2
Which functional area of planning focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through land use decisions and transportation networks?