Planning Strategies and Tools

Question 1

Environmental Justice

Answer 1

Under the US Dept. of Transportation’s process, consideration of environmental justice issues must be considered during preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

General principles required as part of the EIS analysis are: Identification of Minority or Low-Income Populations, Public Participation, Numeric Analysis (that agencies should consider relevant demographic, public health and industry data), and Alternatives and Mitigation.

The four recommended environmental justice policies are as follows: encourage triple bottom-line outcomes; give deference to local knowledge; encourage collaborative problem-solving; organize and support pro-bono planning efforts.

Question 2

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Answer 2

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design includes natural surveillance, territoriality,and natural access control.

Question 3

Invasion-Succession

Answer 3

Concentric Circle theory, developed by Earnest Burgess in 1925, finds that growth happens by land uses expanding outward from one area to another. (Invasion-Succession.) For example, downtown office towers expanding into a warehouse district.

Question 4

Transect-Based Code

Answer 4

A transect-based code tries to reinstate a meaningful spatial pattern of zones by varying regulations based on locational intensity, ranging from more rural to more urban qualities. Andres Duany.

Question 5

Transit Oriented Development

Answer 5

Transit oriented development is planned and designed to locate high-demand land uses at or near the most efficient modes of transportation, like light rail lines, subway lines, and frequent, high-capacity bus routes. The concept of transit oriented development was pioneered by Peter Calthorpe who is an urban planner and founding member of the Congress for New Urbanism.

Question 6

Floating Zones

Answer 6

Zoning Districts that are not pre-determined or fixed in advance on the Zoning Map. The zone “floats” over a specified area until the application is approved at which time the mapped district would be changed.

Question 7

Cluster Zoning

Answer 7

Allows lots to be reduced in size and buildings sited closer together provided the total development density does not exceed that which could be constructed on the site under conventional zoning and the remaining land is utilized for open space or public purposes.

Question 8

The APA Policy Guide on Surface Transportation

Answer 8

The APA Policy Guide on Surface Transportation states “APA encourages planners to develop integrated freight strategies that both improve freight efficiency and address air and noise pollution and climate change impacts. APA and its Chapters and Divisions support planning and development efforts to increase transportation efficiencies, including the development of technology and infrastructure that support the expansion and use of alternative fuel vehicles, and the increased use of other more energy-efficient freight transportation modes.”

Question 9

“The City as a Growth Machine” Theory

Answer 9

Logan and Molotch. Growth machine theory assumes growth is controlled by an elite group of land-based interests, whose manipulation of land serves to increase the property values of land holders in the growth coalition.

Question 10

LIHTC

Answer 10

The federal government’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program encourages the investment of private equity for developing affordable rental housing for low-income and very low-income households. It does this by awarding tax credits to taxpayers who invest in multifamily rental housing that serves low-income households.

Question 11

Smart Code

Answer 11

In the SmartCode, there are 6 transect zones plus one special district. There are many adaptations of the basic SmartCode template, and locally calibrated codes can have more zones than 6. As a form-based code, the SmartCode keeps settlements compact and rural lands open, literally reforming the sprawling patterns of separated-use zoning.

In SmartCode procedures, a design charrette is held to determine the pedestrian sheds, transects, and design guidelines for the planning area. The charrette is essential as part of the SmartCode process.

Question 12

Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs)

Answer 12

Related to a specific project; may not be enforceable if the coalitions who signed dissolve; can be private contract or enforced by local governments; can include hiring quotas.

Question 13

Computer-Aided Negotiation

Answer 13

Computer-Aided Negotiation allows for models to be quickly developed and allows participants to search for alternatives that can best meet the needs of interested parties.

Question 14

Hoshin Kanri Method

Answer 14

Hoshin Kanri is a method for ensuring that the strategic goals drive progress and action at every level within that organization. The process includes establishing a vision, developing objectives, deploy annual objectives, implement objectives, and then review progress on a monthly and annual basis.

Question 15

Cartogram

Answer 15

A cartogram is a map in which the geometry of regions is distorted in order to convey the information of an alternate variable.

Question 16

APA’s Sustaining Places initiative

Answer 16

Harmony with nature, healthy community, and interwoven equity are all required to build healthy and prosperous communities.

Question 17

United States Geological Survey Topographic Map

Answer 17

Uses scales of 1:25,000; 1:50,000; and 1:100,000

Question 18

APA Policies for Addressing Gentrification

Answer 18

Taking a comprehensive approach to mitigation, conducting social impact assessments, and encouraging equitable development.

Question 19

Coropleth Map

Answer 19

Links statistical data to discrete geographic areas using different colors or shades of the same color.

Question 20

Impact Fees

Answer 20

Development fees, such as impact fees, cannot be used to pay for the cost of upgrading an existing system or raise the level of service in the community. They are two separate legal requirements.

Under Nollan: You have to demonstrate a nexus between the public improvement and the development impact. For example, the development would result in X number of vehicle trips per day on the arterial roadway.
Under Dolan: The amount that is charged must be proportionate to the impact. Here is a summary describing the cases (http://depts.washington.edu/trac/concurrency/pdf/Apdx_a.pdf).

Question 21

APA Great Streets

Answer 21

Great Streets are a Great Place in America designated by APA. Factors considered in an APA Great Street designation include street character, landscaping, green infrastructure, etc.

Question 22

Translational Research

Answer 22

Translational research aims to make findings from basic science useful for practical applications that enhance human health and well-being. It is practiced in a wide variety of fields such as environmental science, as well as the health, behavioral, and social sciences.

Question 23

Management by Objectives (MBO)

Answer 23

Management by Objectives (MBO) is a process of agreeing upon objectives within an organization so that management and employees agree to the objectives and understand what they are. Peter Drucker.

Question 24

The Land Based Classification Standards (LBCS)

Answer 24

The Land Based Classification Standards help planners with a model for classifying land uses. LBCS Classifies land uses across five dimensions. For local planning purposes, LBCS calls for classifying land uses in the following dimensions: Activity, Function, Structure Type, Site Development Character, and Ownership.

Question 25

Negotiation-based Land Value Recapture

Answer 25

Negotiation-based Land Value Recapture results in negotiating development agreements that ties increased densities to community amenity contributions.

Question 26

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

Answer 26

The Program Evaluation and Review technique is a decision-making tool designed to achieve objectives in which time is a critical factor. A scheduling method that graphically illustrates the interrelationships of project tasks. PERT is a good choice when precise time estimates are not available for project tasks.

Question 27

Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)

Answer 27

Separates urban areas from the surrounding natural and agricultural lands, or greenbelts

Question 28

Public Facilities Ordinance

Answer 28

Public facilities ordinance allows the city to determine when infrastructure will be extended and maintain an adequate level of service.

Question 29

Average Daily Traffic (ADT)

Answer 29

Average daily traffic (ADT) volume is the number of vehicles that travel on a road in a typical day.

Question 30

New Regionalism

Answer 30

Emphasizes the importance of bringing together regional stakeholders including public and private sectors.

Question 31

Neighborhood Unit

Answer 31

Clarence Perry. Published in 1929 New York and Its Environs plan. Provides for convenient access for residents to school and businesses. Clarence Perry’s Neighborhood Unit concept identifies 5-9,000 residents with a density of 10 units per acre, a school at the center, and buildings around the edges for shopping.

Question 32

Social Accounting Matrix (SAM)

Answer 32

A social accounting matrix is a framework for organizing statistical data about the economy. It considers household income, household expenditures, input-output of industries, trade, taxes, government expenditures, investments, and savings.

A SAM allows for an understanding of the economic actors and is a tool for understanding how policy changes could result in economic changes.

Question 33

Amortization of Nonconforming Use

Answer 33

Some local ordinances require certain nonconforming uses to be amortized over a specified period at the end of which they must be terminated. The term “amortization” is used to describe these provisions because they allow the owner some time during which to recoup his investment in the nonconforming use.

Question 34

Transportation Improvement Program

Answer 34

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a 6-year financial program that describes the schedule for obligating federal funds to state and local projects. The TIP contains funding information for all modes of transportation including roadway projects, as well as transit capital and operating costs.

Question 35

Goals Achievement Matrix (GAM)

Answer 35

The Goal Achievement Matrix (GAM) is a tool that facilitates the process of project prioritization. The goals achievement matrix clearly sets out planned goals and marks them against objectives and the necessary steps to achieve the goal. The Goals-Achievement Matrix can be used in plan evaluation to aid in seeing where implementation has been achieved and where revisions may be necessary.

Question 36

Growth Management Plan

Answer 36

A growth management program includes: (1) a program of when and where development should occur in the future, (2) policies directing growth, (3) the way to finance growth, and (4) an indication of what public infrastructure investments are needed and when.

Question 37

Applied Research

Answer 37

Applied research is a type of examination looking to find practical solutions for existing problems.

Question 38

Amortization of Nonconforming Use

Answer 38

Some states allow amortization of the nonconforming use whereby the nonconforming use’s immediate value is amortized over the course of a set period and once the value of the nonconforming reaches zero the nonconforming use ends. Normally such an ordinance is upheld unless it is arbitrary or discriminatory or unreasonable, and it is usually limited to certain uses and outside of those uses it may be an unreasonable exercise of police power. A reasonable exercise of an amortization end of the nonconforming use allows for a complete return on the investment.

Question 39

Performance Zoning

Answer 39

Performance standards regulate development by setting desired standards (e.g., water protection). Not common - challenging to administer.