MArch Master of Architecture Master of Architecture: Urban Planning & Design 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an 'Environmental Impact Statement' (EIS) in U.S. urban development projects?
- To establish tax incentives for green building construction
- To identify, analyze, and disclose significant environmental effects of proposed federal actions or projects (Correct answer)
- To certify that a building meets LEED energy efficiency standards
- To zone land for environmental conservation uses
Correct answer: To identify, analyze, and disclose significant environmental effects of proposed federal actions or projects
Under NEPA (1970), an EIS is required for major federal actions to evaluate environmental consequences and consider alternatives before decisions are made.
Question 2: In urban design, a 'superblock' refers to which condition?
- A mixed-use block containing a supertall tower
- A large block created by closing interior streets, often reducing permeability for pedestrians (Correct answer)
- A block with unusually high density and FAR allowances
- A historic district block protected from demolition
Correct answer: A large block created by closing interior streets, often reducing permeability for pedestrians
Superblocks eliminate the internal street grid, creating large parcels that can reduce pedestrian permeability and connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods.
Question 3: Which metric best expresses the walkability of a neighborhood by measuring how many daily errands can be accomplished on foot?
- Walk Score (Correct answer)
- Intersection density
- Sidewalk coverage ratio
- Pedestrian Level of Service
Correct answer: Walk Score
Walk Score is a widely used index that rates addresses from 0–100 based on proximity to amenities reachable on foot.
Question 4: The concept of 'tactical urbanism' is best described as:
- Long-term master planning for entire metropolitan regions
- Short-term, low-cost interventions that test urban changes before permanent implementation (Correct answer)
- Military-inspired grid planning for rapid city expansion
- Zoning code amendments to allow higher densities
Correct answer: Short-term, low-cost interventions that test urban changes before permanent implementation
Tactical urbanism uses temporary, low-cost installations—like pop-up plazas or painted bike lanes—to pilot changes and build community support for permanent improvements.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'charrette' in urban planning and design?
- A structural load calculation method for mixed-use buildings
- An intensive, multi-day collaborative design workshop involving stakeholders and the public (Correct answer)
- A legal process for contesting a zoning variance
- A computer-aided design technique for generating urban form options
Correct answer: An intensive, multi-day collaborative design workshop involving stakeholders and the public
A charrette is a compressed participatory design session where planners, designers, and community members work together to produce planning solutions rapidly.
Question 6: Which urban phenomenon describes the process by which low-density suburban development consumes large amounts of land at the urban periphery?
- Urban infill
- Urban sprawl (Correct answer)
- Densification
- Smart growth
Correct answer: Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl refers to low-density, automobile-dependent development that spreads outward from city centers, consuming agricultural and natural land.
Question 7: In stormwater management, what does a 'green infrastructure' approach prioritize?
- Expanding underground concrete pipe networks to increase drainage capacity
- Using natural systems such as bioswales, green roofs, and permeable pavement to manage runoff at the source (Correct answer)
- Building large regional detention basins at the edge of cities
- Channeling stormwater directly to rivers without treatment
Correct answer: Using natural systems such as bioswales, green roofs, and permeable pavement to manage runoff at the source
Green infrastructure mimics natural hydrology by infiltrating, evapotranspirating, or harvesting rainwater close to where it falls rather than conveying it through pipes.
MArch Master of Architecture Master of Architecture: Urban Planning & Design 4
What is the primary purpose of an 'Environmental Impact Statement' (EIS) in U.S. urban development projects?