AICP Code of Ethics Flashcards
AiCP Code of Ethics Section A
Contains a statement of aspirational principles that constitute the ideals to which we
are committed. We shall strive to act in accordance with our stated principles. However, an
allegation that we failed to achieve our aspirational principles cannot be the subject of a
misconduct charge or be a cause for disciplinary action.
AiCP Code of Ethics Section B
contains rules of conduct to which we are held accountable. If we violate any of these
rules, we can be the object of a charge of misconduct and shall have the responsibility of
responding to and cooperating with the investigation and enforcement procedures. If we are found to be blameworthy by the AICP Ethics Committee, we shall be subject to the imposition of sanctions that may include loss of our certification.
AiCP Code of Ethics Section C
contains the procedural provisions of the Code that describe how one may obtain
either a formal or informal advisory ruling, as well as the requirements for an annual report.
AiCP Code of Ethics Section D
contains the procedural provisions that detail how a complaint of misconduct can be
filed, as well as how these complaints are investigated and adjudicated.
AiCP Code of Ethics Section E
contains procedural provisions regarding the forms of disciplinary actions against a
planner, including those situations where a planner is convicted of a serious crime or other
conduct inconsistent with the responsibilities of a certified planner.
- Our Overall Responsibility to the Public
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. We shall achieve high standards of professional integrity, proficiency, and knowledge. To comply with our obligation to the public, we aspire to the following principles. We shall:
a) Always be conscious of the rights of others.
b) Have special concern for the long-range consequences of present actions.
c) Pay special attention to the interrelatedness of decisions.
d) Provide timely, adequate, clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all
affected persons and to governmental decision makers.
e) Give people the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the development of
plans and programs that may affect them. Participation should be broad enough to include
those who lack formal organization or influence.
f) Seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all persons,
recognizing a special responsibility to plan for the needs of the disadvantaged and to promote racial and economic integration. We shall urge the alteration of policies, institutions, and decisions that oppose such needs.
g) Promote excellence of design and endeavor to conserve and preserve the integrity
and heritage of the natural and built environment.
h) Deal fairly with all participants in the planning process. Those of us who are public
officials or employees shall also deal evenhandedly with all planning process participants.
- Our Responsibility to Our Clients and Employers
We owe diligent, creative, and competent performance of the work we do in pursuit of our
client or employer’s interest. Such performance, however, shall always be consistent with our faithful service to the public interest. We shall:
a) Exercise independent professional judgment on behalf of our clients and employers.
b) Accept the decisions of our client or employer concerning the objectives and nature
of the professional services we perform unless the course of action is illegal or plainly
inconsistent with our primary obligation to the public interest.
c) Avoid a conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in
accepting assignments from clients or employers.
- Our Responsibility to Our Profession and Colleagues
We shall contribute to the development of, and respect for, our profession by improving
knowledge and techniques, making work relevant to solutions of community problems, and
increasing public understanding of planning activities.
a) Protect and enhance the integrity of our profession.
b) Educate the public about planning issues and their relevance to our everyday lives.
c) Describe and comment on the work and views of other professionals in a fair and
professional manner.
d) Share the results of experience and research that contribute to the body of planning
knowledge.
e) Examine the applicability of planning theories, methods, research and practice and
standards to the facts and analysis of each particular situation and shall not accept the
applicability of a customary solution without first establishing its appropriateness to the
situation.
f) Contribute time and resources to the professional development of students, interns,
beginning professionals, and other colleagues.
g) Increase the opportunities for members of underrepresented groups to become
professional planners and help them advance in the profession.
h) Continue to enhance our professional education and training.
i) Systematically and critically analyze ethical issues in the practice of planning.
j) Contribute time and effort to groups lacking in adequate planning resources and to
voluntary professional activities.
AiCP Code of Ethics B: Our Rules of Conduct
We adhere to the following Rules of Conduct, and we understand that our Institute will enforce compliance with them. If we fail to adhere to these Rules, we could receive sanctions, the ultimate being the loss of our certification:
- We shall not deliberately or with reckless indifference fail to provide adequate, timely, clear and accurate information on planning issues.
- We shall not accept an assignment from a client or employer when the services to be
performed involve conduct that we know to be illegal or in violation of these rules.
- We shall not accept an assignment from a client or employer to publicly advocate a position on a planning issue that is indistinguishably adverse to a position we publicly advocated for a previous client or employer within the past three years unless (1) we determine in good faith after consultation with other qualified professionals that our change of position will not cause present detriment to our previous client or employer, and (2) we make full written disclosure of the conflict to our current client or employer and receive written permission to proceed with the assignment.
- We shall not, as salaried employees, undertake other employment in planning or a related
profession, whether or not for pay, without having made full written disclosure to the employer who furnishes our salary and having received subsequent written permission to undertake additional employment, unless our employer has a written policy which expressly dispenses with a need to obtain such consent.
- We shall not, as public officials or employees, accept from anyone other than our public
employer any compensation, commission, rebate, or other advantage that may be perceived as related to our public office or employment.
- We shall not perform work on a project for a client or employer if, in addition to the agreed upon compensation from our client or employer, there is a possibility for direct personal or financial gain to us, our family members, or persons living in our household, unless our client or employer, after full written disclosure from us, consents in writing to the arrangement.
- We shall not use to our 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. Nor shall we disclose such confidential information except when (1) required by process of law, or (2) required to prevent a clear violation of law, or (3) required to prevent a substantial injury to the public. Disclosure pursuant to (2) and (3) shall not be made until after we have verified the facts and issues involved and, when practicable, exhausted efforts to obtain reconsideration of the matter and have sought separate opinions on the issue from other qualified professionals employed by our client or employer.
- We shall not, as public officials or employees, engage in private communications with
planning process participants if the discussions relate to a matter over which we have authority to make a binding, final determination if such private communications are prohibited by law or by agency rules, procedures, or custom.
- We shall not engage in private discussions with decision makers in the planning process in any manner prohibited by law or by agency rules, procedures, or custom.
- We shall neither deliberately, nor with reckless indifference, misrepresent the
qualifications, views and findings of other professionals.
- We shall not solicit prospective clients or employment through use of false or misleading
claims, harassment, or duress.
- We shall not misstate our education, experience, training, or any other facts which are
relevant to our professional qualifications.
- We shall not sell, or offer to sell, services by stating or implying an ability to influence
decisions by improper means.
- We shall not use the power of any office to seek or obtain a special advantage that is not a matter of public knowledge or is not in the public interest.