These questions are intended to serve as a guide for studying purposes and are not intended to guarantee a successful result on the exam.
AICP Practice Questions
disclosure: questions generated with the use of AI
- What was the focus of the "City Beautiful Movement"?
a) Social equity and affordable housing
b) Cleanliness and efficiency in transportation systems
c) Beautifying cities with monumental architecture and green spaces
d) Supporting economic growth through industrial development - What is an "urban growth boundary"?
a) A zoning tool to limit urban sprawl by defining where urban development can and cannot occur
b) A designation of historic districts
c) A plan to develop rural areas adjacent to cities
d) A policy to promote suburban expansion - Which of the following is an example of "smart growth"?
a) Expanding highways to accommodate more traffic
b) Encouraging development in existing urban centers to avoid sprawl
c) Allowing low-density residential development on the urban fringe
d) Reducing investment in public transit infrastructure - What is "cluster zoning"?
a) A strategy where development is concentrated in one area to preserve open space in another
b) A method of dividing land into equally-sized lots
c) Zoning that allows only industrial use
d) Zoning for large-scale, high-density development - In the context of urban planning, what is "placemaking"?
a) The process of creating public spaces that promote community well-being and identity
b) The development of high-rise buildings in urban centers
c) Designing cities around vehicle traffic flow
d) Maximizing land use for commercial purposes - What is the primary purpose of inclusionary zoning?
a) To encourage the development of single-family homes
b) To require a certain percentage of new development to be affordable housing
c) To prevent high-density development
d) To limit housing construction to specific zones - Which of the following is a method for controlling stormwater runoff?
a) Increasing parking lots
b) Creating retention basins and green infrastructure
c) Expanding sewer systems
d) Implementing eminent domain - What is a "public-private partnership" (PPP)?
a) A collaborative agreement between the government and private sector for public projects
b) A legal dispute between private landowners and the government
c) A private sector loan for public housing
d) A plan to privatize public transportation systems - Which planning theory argues that planning decisions should be made incrementally over time, rather than through a comprehensive process?
a) Rational Planning Theory
b) Advocacy Planning Theory
c) Incrementalism
d) Radical Planning Theory - Which of the following is an example of a "traffic calming" measure?
a) Adding extra traffic lanes
b) Installing speed bumps and roundabouts
c) Removing pedestrian crosswalks
d) Widening roads to reduce congestion - What is "neotraditional planning"?
a) A planning movement that seeks to replicate the designs of pre-industrial cities
b) A planning strategy focused on expanding suburban developments
c) A movement that emphasizes pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use communities with traditional design elements
d) A focus on new technology for urban infrastructure - What is the main objective of a housing needs assessment?
a) To estimate future population growth
b) To analyze the current and future housing demand, and supply of affordable housing
c) To determine the appropriate building height in a zoning ordinance
d) To measure urban growth boundaries - Which law requires public participation and environmental review for significant public or private projects?
a) Fair Housing Act
b) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
c) Clean Water Act
d) Americans with Disabilities Act - What is a "historic district"?
a) An area where commercial development is prohibited
b) A district that contains a concentration of historic buildings, structures, or sites that are preserved for their historical significance
c) An area of land designated for urban infill projects
d) A zoning designation to prevent industrial use - In planning, what does "land banking" refer to?
a) Preserving open spaces for future urban development
b) The practice of governments or organizations acquiring and holding land for future development or conservation
c) The commercial development of greenfield land
d) A tax on underutilized land - Which concept is central to "smart growth"?
a) Low-density residential zoning
b) Encouraging compact, transit-oriented, and walkable urban development
c) Promoting single-family homes in suburban areas
d) Expanding highways to support commuting - Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of "New Urbanism"?
a) Emphasis on walkability
b) Mixed-use developments
c) Car-dependent neighborhoods
d) Traditional neighborhood design - What is a "floating zone"?
a) A type of zoning that "floats" until it is assigned to a particular parcel
b) A temporary zoning district
c) A zoning district that allows agricultural uses in urban areas
d) A form of incentive zoning - What is the primary goal of "complete streets" policies?
a) To prioritize vehicular traffic over pedestrians and cyclists
b) To design streets that accommodate all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and public transit
c) To expand highway infrastructure
d) To restrict public access to certain roadways - What is a "form-based code"?
a) A zoning regulation focused on the physical form of buildings and public spaces, rather than land use
b) A tool for preserving historic landmarks?
c) A zoning tool for industrial developments
d) A policy for limiting suburban sprawl - Which of the following is a goal of environmental justice?
a) To prevent high-density development
b) To ensure that all communities, especially marginalized ones, have equal access to environmental benefits and are not disproportionately
impacted by environmental harms
c) To prioritize greenfield development
d) To increase suburban development near industrial zones - In the context of planning, what does "urban sprawl" refer to?
a) The revitalization of city centers
b) The expansion of low-density residential areas into previously undeveloped land
c) Increasing walkability and density in urban areas
d) The transformation of industrial areas into mixed-use developments - Which of the following best defines a "public hearing"?
a) A formal meeting where the public can provide input on proposed government actions or policies
b) A private consultation with developers and city officials
c) A report submitted to a planning commission
d) A community event to celebrate new infrastructure - Which principle is emphasized by the "smart growth" movement?
a) Encouraging low-density suburban development
b) Limiting urban infill projects
c) Focusing on compact, transit-oriented, and pedestrian-friendly development
d) Increasing reliance on private vehicles for transportation - What is a "public improvement district" (PID)?
a) A designated area where public funds are used exclusively for private development
b) A special zone where property owners pay additional taxes to fund public improvements like parks, sidewalks, and infrastructure
c) A district where public access is restricted
d) A zoning designation for mixed-use development
disclosure: questions generated with the use of AI