QUIZZ 3 Flashcards
Which of the following is a true statement about the future trajectory of the U.S. population?
a.
By 2045, over 75 percent the population in the United States will be made up of minorities
b.
By 2030, over 30 percent of the population in the United States will be made up of minorities
c.
By 2045, over half the population in the United States will be made up of minorities
d.
By 2030, over half of the population in the United States will be made up of minorities
By 2045, over half the population in the United States will be made up of minorities. This, of course, signals a need to rethink the use of the term “minorities.”
The correct answer is: By 2045, over half the population in the United States will be made up of minorities
Your planning supervisor has asked you to look into making sure that your department’s website is accessible. What might you suggest?
a.
Maximize the site’s use of static pages
b.
Make sure that when a screen-reader reads an image or graphic, it clearly says “graphic” or “image”
c.
Grant keyboard accessibility
d.
Provide a free mouse to visually impaired people because a mouse helps with navigation
Websites need to be accessible to visually impaired people. For people with low vision, keyboard commands—which can be set up if you grant keyboard accessibility—make it possible to navigate a site without having to strenuously focus and follow a mouse cursor across the screen. A mouse is not useful for navigating because it requires hand-eye coordination. When a screen-reader reads an image or graphic, it will say “graphic” or “image” unless you provide a description (“alt”) text. If an image doesn’t have alt text, the screen-reader will skip it.
The correct answer is: Grant keyboard accessibility
The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information. What is a true statement about the reliability of ACS data?
a.
ACS data are population counts for selected jurisdictions, done every 5 years
b.
ACS data is more reliable than the decennial census
c.
ACS data are estimates; the Coefficient of Variation must not exceed 15 percent
d.
ACS data are estimates; the Coefficient of Variation must not exceed 5 percent
The U.S. Census uses the Coefficient of Variation (CV) to test for reliability of Census estimates (such as ACS estimates). The CV should be no greater than 15 percent to allow for reliable data interpretation.
The correct answer is: ACS data are estimates; the Coefficient of Variation must not exceed 15 percent
You are a planner working for a housing agency and you have been tasked with coming up with housing options for people with lower incomes who have extensive or intergenerational households. What kind of housing would you focus on?
a.
Housing that is both adaptable and affordable
b.
Housing that can be obtained via inclusionary zoning
c.
Housing that is built in partnership with a community land trust, to ensure long-term affordability
d.
Housing that is both affordable and accessible
A key strategy to minimize inequity is offering adequate and appropriate housing options for all. People of color and immigrants—who may have lower incomes and more extensive or intergenerational households—require housing that is both adaptable and affordable. Adaptability is a feature of housing that allows occupants and owners opportunities for incremental expansion, multigenerational living, and higher-density occupancy.
The correct answer is: Housing that is both adaptable and affordable
You are a planning manager engaged in a debate about the planning staff’s efforts to build more affordable housing. An aggressive reporter is interviewing you on camera, and asks you an uncomfortable question challenging the need for affordable housing and pointing out that the planning administration lacks authority and funding. Which opening response is an example of the use of a bridging technique to answer the question?
a.
“People have said that, but the key thing to remember is…..”
b.
“We do not currently have the resources to respond to that appropriately….”
c.
“That is a problem, but not one our office is prepared to address at this time….”
d.
“That’s a good question….”
Bridging is a technique that planners can use to reframe controversial issues, responding to opponents while also recasting how the issue is viewed. The trick is to use transitional phrases to stay on message when asked a question that could take you off topic.
The correct answer is: “People have said that, but the key thing to remember is…..”
Your spouse runs a coffee shop, and wants to expand the business, which requires Planning Commission approval. You are the planning director of the town where the coffee shop is located. Which of the following are appropriate actions to take?
Select one:
a.
Ensure that a study is conducted of all possible negative impacts from the business expansion
b.
Oversee the review process so you can make sure all procedures are followed correctly
c.
Remove yourself from the review process completely
d.
Ask your spouse to give a site tour as required by the local review process
Since the development review involves a family member, you should remove yourself completely from the review process. You should not be in a position to influence the members of your staff or any consultants who might also be involved.
The correct answer is: Remove yourself from the review process completely
Which description of participatory budgeting is most accurate?
a.
When a task force of community members works directly with a local jurisdiction’s financial office to set priorities
b.
When local officials confer with their constituents prior to making final budget recommendations
c.
When community members vote on capital budget priorities in their service area
d.
When budgeting takes place in an open community forum
In participatory budgeting, community members vote on capital budget priorities in their district, ward, or neighborhood service area. Planners need to take precautions to ensure that privileged groups do not take control of the process.
The correct answer is: When community members vote on capital budget priorities in their service area
A capital improvement budget includes facilities planned for construction in which of the following time spans?
Select one:
a.
10 years
b.
20-30 years
c.
One year
d.
Five years
The budget applies to the first year of the capital plan. Budget is the key word in this question.
The correct answer is: One year
The Clean Water Act does not do which of the following:
Select one:
a.
Regulates development of wetlands
b.
Regulates water pollution
c.
Regulates toxic runoff and chemical contamination
d.
Ensures air pollutants do not contaminate water
Air pollutants are regulated under the Clean Air Act.
The correct answer is: Ensures air pollutants do not contaminate water
What type of zoning would allow single-family homes to be located in any zoning district in the community?
Select one:
a.
Zero lot line
b.
Cumulative
c.
Modified cumulative
d.
Euclidian
Cumulative Zoning is a method of zoning in which any use permitted in a higher-use, less intensive district is permissible in a lower use, more intensive district. In this method, a house could be built in an industrial district but a manufacturing factory could not be built in a residential district.
The correct answer is: Cumulative
Over the last 20 years, your downtown area has lost 5,000 housing units and 2,000 jobs. A new downtown plan calls for adding new nodes of activity, including retail and housing opportunities. You are a Senior Planner with the city and are charged with the implementation of this plan. To kick off the implementation process, which would you do first?
Select one:
a.
Select a final design and hold a public hearing for input
b.
Host a day-long design charrette to allow citizens to brainstorm design ideas for the node
c.
Hold an open house allowing citizens to view several design alternatives
d.
Form a committee of downtown property owners to formulate design proposals
The goal of the plan is to bring citizens downtown. Involving citizens in the design process will generate excitement about downtown and gain ideas from the target audience.
The correct answer is: Host a day-long design charrette to allow citizens to brainstorm design ideas for the node
The consulting agency you work for is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposed bridge over a river that will affect a major wetlands. Section 3 of the EIS presents three alternatives for siting the bridge across the river.
What additional element should your agency include in Section 3?
Select one:
A.
An option for a ferry boat to cross the river
B.
A “no action” alternative
C.
No additional elements are needed in Section 3 of an EIS
D.
An option for a tunnel to be constructed under the river
An EIS has 4 sections:
description of the proposed action and its purpose and need;
description of the affected environment;
presentation of a range of alternatives to the proposed action, including a “no action” alternative; and
an analysis of the environmental impact of each of the proposed actions and range of alternatives.
The correct answer is: A “no action” alternative
As a planner for HUD, you support a range of housing support projects. A colleague asks if you will help a non-profit on a pro bono basis with an application for a grant from a foundation that would fund a housing renovation project.
You have the expertise to help, but are short on time and don’t know if you could complete the work in time for the submission deadline.
What should you do?
Select one:
a.
Decline to assist with the grant.
b.
Tell the non-profit that you can serve in an advisory capacity and would be happy to participate in a call about the project
c.
Offer to prepare the grant application, but indicate that because of time constraints you might not be able to complete it by the deadline.
d.
Offer to prepare the grant application. If you can’t get it done a week in advance, then let the non-profit know.
The AICP Code of Ethics states “We shall not accept work for a fee, or pro bono, that we know cannot be performed with the promptness required by the prospective client, or that is required by the circumstances of the assignment.” Given your time constraints C and D are the least desirable choices. The best option is B assist the agency in an advisory role, but do not commit to writing the grant proposal.
The correct answer is: Tell the non-profit that you can serve in an advisory capacity and would be happy to participate in a call about the project
A planning director receives a gift basket with a value of less than $100 as a thank-you from a developer whose site plan was recently approved. What does the planning director need to do?
Select one:
a.
Accept the gift basket but share it with staff
b.
Immediately return the gift basket
c.
Nothing. The planning director can accept the gift if its value is less than $100.
d.
Donate the gift basket to a local charity and ask the developer not to send anything in the future
The planning director does not need to be rude or damage good will, but should provide an explanation about where the gift was sent (i.e., to a local charity) and why gifts can not be accepted. There is nothing in the code about gift value.
The correct answer is: Donate the gift basket to a local charity and ask the developer not to send anything in the future
You are a senior planner working to update a comprehensive plan in a community where there is a high level of distrust of the planning process. What would be an effective strategy to try to overcome this?
a.
Talk to community residents to identify who is distrustful and speak with them directly to try to address their concerns
b.
Enlist the aid of experienced community organizers
c.
Hold regular public meetings in which all members of the community are invited
d.
Maximize the amount of planning staff devoted to the public participation process
When there are high levels of distrust, local governments might need to enlist the aid of experienced community organizers to overcome high levels of distrust.
The correct answer is: Enlist the aid of experienced community organizers
Under the Fair Housing Act, under what circumstances can a property owner turn away a family with children?
Select one:
a.
If the rental property qualifies as senior housing
b.
If the parents do not have legal guardianship
c.
If the child has a criminal record
d.
Under no circumstances can a family be turned away
The Fair Housing Act includes seven protected classes: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. The last term refers to the presence of at least one child under 18 years old, and also protects prospects and tenants who are pregnant or in the process of adopting a child. A property owner may legally turn away families with children, however, if their rental property qualifies as senior housing.
The correct answer is: If the rental property qualifies as senior housing
You are working in a rural county that is concerned with protecting its land from urban development. The residents want to ensure that the future of their farms is protected. Which approach would be least effective for preserving agricultural land?
Select one:
a.
Planned Unit Development
b.
Purchase of Development Rights
c.
Agricultural Zoning District
d.
Cluster Zoning
Planned unit developments are best suited for urban or suburban development and are not suited to protect farmland.
The correct answer is: Planned Unit Development
You have a small side business selling goods at the local farmer’s market. This requires you to obtain a permit from the Health Department, which is a municipal agency located down the hall from where you work as a zoning administrator. Under what circumstances is this a conflict of interest?
Select one:
a.
If you know someone in the Health Department
b.
If you processed a zoning application for the farmer’s market
c.
None of these are a conflict of interest
d.
If you have a financial interest in selling farmer’s market goods, or if you have a business partner who also works for the city
Owning a small business that sells goods at a farmer’s market only presents a potential conflict of interest if there is a direct relation to your office. None of the choices involve such a direct involvement.
The correct answer is: None of these are a conflict of interest
Which is the most common technique used to resolve conflict?
Select one:
a.
Feedback and compromise
b.
Consensus building
c.
Tax increment
d.
Delphi
In general, most successful negotiators start off assuming collaborative (integrative) or win-win negotiation. Most good negotiators will try for a win-win or aim at a situation where both sides feel they won. Negotiations tend to go much better if both sides perceive they are in a win-win situation or both sides approach the negotiation wanting to “create value” or satisfy both their own needs and the other’s needs. By gaining feedback from both sides and coming up with a compromise, both parties can walk away with a win-win situation.
The correct answer is: Feedback and compromise
Freedom of information rules:
Select one:
a.
Can be avoided if staff determine that the information requested will compromise planning recommendations.
b.
Vary from state to state and city to city.
c.
Usually do not apply to the staff reports of planners who are not in supervisory positions.
d.
Mean that public agency planners must hand over all information at any given time.
Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. In addition, all states have their own “open records” laws that provide access to state and local records. It is never the case that “all information must be handed over at any given time,” and staff reports or material that goes against a planning recommendation would not be exempt. There are exemptions to FOIA, however. The federal FOIA, for example, has nine exemptions that protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement.
The correct answer is: Vary from state to state and city to city.
You are a planner looking for a generalized understanding of population trends in your community. You decide to undertake qualitative research and interview business and other community leaders who seem to have a good understanding of what has been happening in terms of demographic change. Your boss tells you this is ill-advised because:
a.
Qualitative research is not appropriate for understanding generalized trends
b.
Qualitative research is a deductive approach
c.
Demographic change is more involved than understanding population change
d.
Business and community leaders will be reluctant to discuss the topic
Qualitative research can not provide a generalized understanding (such as a population trend), but it can provide a deeper understanding of a given topic.
The correct answer is: Qualitative research is not appropriate for understanding generalized trends
What qualities are more associated with being a good leader as opposed to being a good manager?
a.
Political acumen and advocacy
b.
Being cautious about taking risks
c.
Apolitical objectivity
d.
Neutrality
It is possible to make a distinction between being a good leader and being a good manager, although the skillsets do overlap. The skills that leaders need that managers might not find helpful include political acumen, willingness to take appropriate risks, and advocacy.
The correct answer is: Political acumen and advocacy
What qualities are more associated with being a good manager as opposed to being a good leader?
a.
Tendency to focus on getting a clean resolution even if that means foregoing the right resolution
b.
Willingness to take risks
c.
Willingness to stand up to an existing power structure if needed
d.
Delegation of details
The skills that managers need that leaders might not find helpful include attention to detail, deference to an existing power structure, and willingness to get to a clean resolution at the expense of the right resolution.
The correct answer is: Tendency to focus on getting a clean resolution even if that means foregoing the right resolution
In sector theory, where is high-quality housing located?
Select one:
a.
Away from industry
b.
Sector theory does not consider housing
c.
In suburban locations, outside of the city
d.
Toward the center but close to employment
In sector theory, areas in a city develop in sectors along the lines of communication, from the central business district (CBD) outward. High-quality areas locate along roads; industrial sectors develop along canals and railways, away from high-quality housing; and working-class housing locates near industry.
The correct answer is: Away from industry
How many people are homeless in the U.S.?
Select one:
a.
In 2018, the number was estimated at 554,000
b.
For 2018, the estimates ranged from 200,000 to 1,000,000
c.
In 2018, the number was estimated at 352,000
d.
It is impossible to know, as definitions of homelessness vary widely and states do not make accurate counts
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), on a given night in 2018, 553,742 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. Between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017, an estimated 950,497 people used an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.
The correct answer is: In 2018, the number was estimated at 554,000
Which of the following is not often cited as a major factor in creating homelessness?
Select one:
a.
Underemployment
b.
Physical disabilities
c.
Lack of affordable health care
d.
Domestic violence
Homelessness results from a complex set of circumstances in which people are forced to choose between food, shelter, and other basic needs, such as medicine and preventive health care. It would not be correct to say that physical disabilities create homelessness.
The correct answer is: Physical disabilities
Which of the following are true about sector theory?
I. It was developed by Homer Hoyt
II. It prioritizes the role of transportation
III. It creates concentric rings around the Central Business District (CBD)
IV. Within each sector, land values vary widely
Select one:
a.
III only
b.
I, II, III and IV
c.
I, II and IV
d.
I and II
Sector theory is a model of urban development proposed by Homer Hoyt in which sectors radiate out like pie shaped wedges from the central business district. Sector theory stresses the role of transportation in urban development. Each sector represents a specific land use, and thus represents a distinct area of land values. Land use sectors either complement or oppose each other.
The correct answer is: I and II
Which of the following could NOT be described as a “core value” of urban planning?
Select one:
a.
Transparency
b.
Public interest
c.
Inclusionary zoning
d.
Healthy communities
Core values are embedded in the AICP code of ethics. Core values of planning include equity and social justice, public interest, sustainability, healthy and prosperous communities, diversity, democratic engagement, and transparency. Inclusionary zoning is a policy rather than a core value.
The correct answer is: Inclusionary zoning
Which is a true statement about inequity?
a.
Inequity is marked by the attributes of disproportionality and institutionalized inequity
b.
Inequity should be not equated with disproportionality
c.
Inequity is best measured using quantitative data such as census statistics
d.
The best way to understand inequity is through qualitative research methods
Inequity, which is measurable, is marked by two key attributes that often work together: disproportionality (disproportionate impacts lead to further social and economic impairment) and institutionalized inequity (inequity is often embedded in methodologies that justify systemic policies).
The correct answer is: Inequity is marked by the attributes of disproportionality and institutionalized inequity
There are many ways that planners influence public opinion—opinion about the planning profession and the value of what planners do. Which of the following would be considered a low risk, routine activity with the ability to influence public opinion?
a.
Posting on social media
b.
Customer service
c.
Working with the local media
d.
Giving a talk at a local organization
There are many ways of influencing public opinion that vary by type of activity and by risk level. Customer service is considered a low risk, routine activity that influences public opinion. The other options have higher associated risks.
The correct answer is: Customer service
Which of the following is NOT a true statement about input-output analysis?
a.
It analyzes ripple effects throughout an economy
b.
It is a form of macroeconomic analysis
c.
It is not used to estimate local employment change
d.
It is commonly used for estimating the impacts of positive or negative economic shocks
Input-output analysis is a form of macroeconomic analysis based on the interdependencies between different economic sectors or industries. It has a number of uses, including estimating employment change.
The correct answer is: It is not used to estimate local employment change
Kevin Lynch made the argument that there are three types of planning theories. Which type did he believe was “spindly and starved for light”?
Select one:
a.
Urban design theory
b.
Decision-making theory
c.
Incrementalist theory
d.
Normative theory
Kevin Lynch made the argument that there are three types of planning theories: theories that are used to predict things, theories about decision making, and normative theory, i.e., how a city ought to be. He further argued that normative theory is under-developed.
The correct answer is: Normative theory
Zero-based budgeting views the previous year’s budget as closed and all expenditures must be justified as if it were a new program. Which of the following is NOT a major step in zero-based budgeting?
Select one:
a.
Ranking decision packages in order of priority.
b.
Evaluating performance against goals
c.
Isolating decision packages.
d.
Analyzing decision packages.
Evaluating performance against goals is not a major step in zero-based budgeting.
The correct answer is: Evaluating performance against goals
Which of the following could reasonably be described as the largest single act of national planning in our history?
Select one:
a.
The Land Ordinance of 1785
b.
The Washington Mall
c.
The 1811 Commissioners Plan of Manhattan
d.
The Louisiana Purchase
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was a rectangular survey where coordinates were created for virtually all of the country west of the Appalachians. The survey has been called “the largest single act of national planning in our history.” It set up a standardized system whereby settlers could purchase title to farmland in the undeveloped west.
The correct answer is: The Land Ordinance of 1785
A location quotient is used for which of the following types of analyses:
Select one:
a.
Finding the optimal location of a facility
b.
Identifying leading sectors
c.
Identifying export-based sectors
d.
Projecting economic growth
A location quotient compares the relative share of employment in a sector in a region to that of the sector in the country. A location quotient larger than 1 is used to identify export-based sectors in economic base analysis.
The correct answer is: Identifying export-based sectors
