AICP Fundamental Planning Knowledge 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of plan focuses specifically on preparing a community for natural disasters and hazard events?
- Strategic plan
- Hazard mitigation plan (Correct answer)
- Capital improvement plan
- Corridor plan
Correct answer: Hazard mitigation plan
A hazard mitigation plan, required under the Stafford Act to qualify for FEMA pre-disaster mitigation grants, identifies risks and strategies to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters.
Question 2: What does the term 'placemaking' primarily refer to in contemporary planning practice?
- The legal process of incorporating a new municipality
- A collaborative process to strengthen the connection between people and the places they share (Correct answer)
- The technical process of preparing land use maps and ordinances
- The economic strategy of creating industrial zones to attract manufacturing
Correct answer: A collaborative process to strengthen the connection between people and the places they share
Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to planning and design that capitalizes on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential to create public spaces that promote health, happiness, and wellbeing.
Question 3: In housing policy, what does 'inclusionary zoning' require?
- All housing developments must be built at market-rate without income restrictions
- Residential developers must include a percentage of affordable units in market-rate projects (Correct answer)
- Zoning must include areas for all housing types from single-family to high-rise
- Low-income housing tax credit projects must be located in high-opportunity areas
Correct answer: Residential developers must include a percentage of affordable units in market-rate projects
Inclusionary zoning mandates or incentivizes private developers to set aside a percentage of units in new residential projects at below-market rates for low- or moderate-income households.
Question 4: What is the primary function of a 'specific plan' under California planning law (and similar instruments in other states)?
- To replace the general plan with more detailed land use regulations for the entire jurisdiction
- To provide detailed development regulations and infrastructure plans for a defined geographic area (Correct answer)
- To address a single topic such as housing or circulation across the entire jurisdiction
- To establish binding agreements between developers and local governments
Correct answer: To provide detailed development regulations and infrastructure plans for a defined geographic area
A specific plan provides detailed development regulations, design guidelines, and infrastructure plans for a particular area, bridging the gap between the general plan and individual project approvals.
Question 5: The 'pedestrian shed' concept used in New Urbanism and TOD planning typically defines an area within:
- A 5-minute drive from a transit station
- A quarter-mile to half-mile walking distance, or roughly a 5-10 minute walk (Correct answer)
- The boundaries of a single zoning district
- A one-mile radius from a major employment center
Correct answer: A quarter-mile to half-mile walking distance, or roughly a 5-10 minute walk
The pedestrian shed (also called the walkshed) defines the area within a comfortable walking distance—typically a quarter to half mile—from a transit stop or neighborhood center.
Question 6: Which technique do planners use to estimate the fiscal impact of a proposed development on local government revenues and expenditures?
- Environmental impact assessment
- Fiscal impact analysis (Correct answer)
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Market feasibility study
Correct answer: Fiscal impact analysis
A fiscal impact analysis estimates the net effect of a proposed development on local government revenues (taxes, fees) versus the cost of public services required to serve the development.
Question 7: What is the 'adequate public facilities' (APF) ordinance approach to managing growth?
- Requiring all public facilities to be ADA-compliant before issuing building permits
- Conditioning development approvals on the availability of sufficient infrastructure capacity to serve the project (Correct answer)
- Mandating that developers pay impact fees for all new construction
- Requiring environmental review for any development near public facilities
Correct answer: Conditioning development approvals on the availability of sufficient infrastructure capacity to serve the project
APF ordinances (also called concurrency requirements) withhold development approvals until planners can demonstrate that roads, schools, water, and sewer systems have enough capacity to serve the proposed development.
AICP Fundamental Planning Knowledge 4
Which type of plan focuses specifically on preparing a community for natural disasters and hazard events?