AICP Core Competencies

Planning Core Competencies Exercises

EVOLVING DRAFT

For the purpose of these two exercises, the AICP Commission has identified four levels of planning expertise:

Level 1 ‐ "Student" – Undergraduate or Graduate planning students.

Level 2 – “Emerging Professional” – Recent University graduates searching for employment or in the early years of professional practice.

Level 3 ‐ "AICP Planner" – Planners who have achieved the AICP certification.

Level 4 ‐ "Advanced Professional" – Planners who have many years of experience and considered experts in their fields.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Core Competencies "Student" “Emerging "AICP "Advanced Skills, Knowledge, Experiences and Values (SKEV) Professional” Planner"

I.

Fundamental Knowledge: The basic tenets of planning, including planning history, theory and law. .

Planning Theory: The behaviors and structures available to bring about sound planning outcomes. Knowing why planning is undertaken by communities, cities, regions, and nations. b. Human Settlements: The growth and development of places over time and across space. Understanding of interactions flows of people and materials, cultures, and differing approaches to planning across world regions. c. History of Planning: The history of planning and planning movements. d. Planning Law: The foundational legal principles of constitutional law and related judicial decisions that have guided planning in the US. e. Land Use Planning and Building Form: The relationships of land uses and building form, both current and future, and the utilities, facilities and services necessary to serve them. f. Related Professions and Practices: The terminology, practices, and principles of related professions, including law, real estate, finance, architecture, landscape architecture and engineering. Understanding how they influence planning practice.

II. Research, Technical and Analytical: Specific research, technical and analytical tasks required in the practice of planning. a. Research: Assembling and analyzing ideas and information from prior practice and scholarship, and from primary and secondary sources. b. Quantitative and Qualitative Methods: Data collection, survey, analysis and modeling tools for forecasting, policy analysis, and design of projects and plans. c. Demographics and Economics: Analyzing demographic information to discern trends in population, employment and health. d. Impact Assessment and Demand Analysis: Systematically identifying and assessing the demands and impacts (fiscal, economic, environmental, transportation, etc.) of proposals. e. Technology and Related Applications: Existing information technologies and how evolving technology can impact planning and be used to advance the profession. f. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping: Geographic Information Systems, and its value to advancing planning concepts.

III. Communication and Interaction: Creating and facilitating the flow of ideas, information, and understanding between and among individuals and groups. a. Accuracy and Quality: Providing timely, adequate, clear, and accurate information on planning issues to all affected persons and decision makers.

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Core Competencies Skills, Knowledge, Experiences and Values (SKEV)

Level 1 "Student"

Level 2 Level 3 “Emerging "AICP Professional” Planner"

Level 4 "Advanced Professional"

b. Written and Graphic: Preparing clear, accurate and compelling text and graphics for use in documents and presentations. c.

Presentation: Effectively conveying information through spoken presentations and interactions. Ability to effectively explain complex issues and convey technical points in lay terms.

d. Comprehension and Listening: Accurately comprehending, receiving and interpreting verbal messages. Paying attention to what is said, how it is said and what is emphasized. e. Interpersonal Relations and Customer Service: Working effectively with various public/private sector officials, staff, citizens and other customers. f.

Mediation & Facilitation: Acting as a mediator or facilitator when interests conflict.

g. Communication and Notification: Using notification and communication resources, including social media. Identifying the best methods for any particular audience. h. Teaching: Conveying planning knowledge and concepts to others, including students, coworkers and the public. i.

Political Savvy: Managing high‐profile, sensitive or controversial political situations.

j.

Diversity: Understanding how cultural, racial, generational, disability and gender based perspectives can influence communities and planning.

k.

Public Participation and Relations: Working with the public and articulate planning issues to a wide variety of audiences, fostering public empowerment and participation. Knowledge of participatory techniques, such as charrettes, and visioning.

IV. Plan Making: Plan formulation and adoption.

a. Appropriate Process: Applying a planning process appropriate to the situation. Identifying plan purpose, components, application and available resources. b. Comprehensive Context: Applying an appropriately comprehensive point of view in plan preparation. Understanding the consequences of planning related decisions. c.

Visioning and Goal Setting: Visioning techniques. Establishing viable and sustainable planning goals and objectives.

d. Facilitation and Consensus Building: Fostering negotiation and mutual compromise among competing interests. e. Planning Process Methods: Promoting stakeholder involvement, community engagement, and working with diverse communities. f.

Problem Solving: Using a balance of technical competence, creativity and pragmatism.

g. Interrelationships: Physical, economic, natural, and social relationships, including the interaction among the economy, transportation, health and human services, and land‐use regulation. h. Scoping and Scheduling: Plan management, scope of work and timeframe establishment and monitoring.

V. Plan Implementation and Placemaking: Plan implementation, enforcement and evaluation.

a. Legal Applications: Legal principles related to planning and development review, including property rights, police power, eminent domain, signage, etc.

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Core Competencies Skills, Knowledge, Experiences and Values (SKEV)

Level 1 "Student"

Level 2 Level 3 “Emerging "AICP Professional” Planner"

Level 4 "Advanced Professional"

b. Environmental Management: The elements and techniques involved in environmental planning and management. c.

Growth Management: Growth management techniques, including adequate public facilities and concurrency management.

d. Design: Community and site design considerations, including scale and density, safety and walkability. e. Current Planning: Development plan and project review, including the preparation of staff reports. f.

Zoning and Subdivision: Specific zoning and subdivision review techniques, including code enforcement.

g. Public Facilities Planning and Management: Facilities planning, capital improvement program management and related financing techniques. h. Economic Development and Redevelopment: Recognizing the market forces that drive development and the techniques use to foster economic development and community revitalization. i.

Preservation, Conservation and Reuse: Skills associated with the preservation, conservation and reuse of land and related resources.

j.

Plan Implementation and Evaluation: Techniques used to implement plans and assess their effectiveness, including the consequences of planning decisions (land use, fiscal, economic, environmental, transportation, etc.)

VI. Leadership

a. Influencing Decision Making in the Public Interest: Providing vision, input, direction and guidance to those with decision‐making authority to make decisions in the best interest of the public. b. Leadership and Collaboration: Skills regarding strategic decision‐ making, collaboration, change management, and organizational/community motivation. c.

Innovation and Excellence: Leadership in creating and consensus and support for a planning activity that lead to community improvements.

d. Relations with Elected and Appointed Officials: Skills needed to effectively address the needs and perspectives of elected and appointed boards and commissions.

VII. Management a. Decision Making and Evaluation: Policy analysis and program evaluation skills. Negotiating skills. b. Staff Management: Promoting the development and performance of staff. Knowledge of principles of personnel management, including supervision, team building, training and performance evaluation. c.

Project Management: Skills generally associated with being in charge of a plan or project, including resource allocation, monitoring, etc.

d. Intergroup and Stakeholder Relationships: Fostering collaboration and information flow between groups and stakeholders. e. Budgeting and Financing: Interpreting financial information to assess the short‐term and long‐term fiscal condition of the community, determine the cost‐effectiveness of programs, and compare alternative strategies f.

Media Relations: Skills addressing the needs and perspectives of the media, and working with them to accomplish planning objectives.

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Core Competencies Skills, Knowledge, Experiences and Values (SKEV)

Level 1 "Student"

Level 2 Level 3 “Emerging "AICP Professional” Planner"

Level 4 "Advanced Professional"

g. Technical Proficiency: Skills that incorporate innovation and new technology, including social media, to advance planning objectives. h. Strategic Planning: Application of strategic planning principles to accomplish longer range planning objectives. i.

Office Operations: Skills in office operational management, including business planning, task analysis and financial management.

VIII. Integrity, Values and Ethics: Reinforcing the planning profession’s shared sense of purpose by highlighting our values and ethical integrity.

a. Relationships: The interrelatedness of decisions and the special concern for the long‐range consequences of present actions. b. Social Justice: Social justice issues and expanding choices and opportunities for all persons, underserved groups and diverse communities. c.

Professional Ethics: Appreciation of key issues of planning ethics and the ethics of public decision‐making, research, and client representation as outlined in the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

d. Advocacy: Support for policies, programs, or ideals that influence public decision‐making and best serve the public interest. e. Accountability and Transparency: Knowledge and skills to assure plan and program accountability and transparency.

IX. Relevancy and Professional Commitment: The knowledge and skills needed to remain current in the practice of planning. Contributing to the development of, and respect for, fellow planners and the profession.

a. Professional Development: Commitment to professional development and continuous learning. b. Remaining Current and Relevant: Understanding of the latest planning trends, technologies, and best practices. c.

Emerging Issues: Understanding emerging issues and trends, such as those relating to dynamic populations, food system planning, aging and livable communities and new urbanism.

d. Commitment: Ongoing commitment to the development of, and respect for, the planning profession. e. Contribution: Contribution to advancing planning principles through participation in and volunteering with local, state and national organizations and initiatives. f.

Mentoring: Commitment and success in providing planning education and mentoring at all levels, including opportunities to planning students and emerging planning professionals.

g. Consultant Relations and Management: Skills relating to working with consultants, including RFP development and contract management.

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Level 1 "Student"

Specialized Competencies a. Comprehensive Planning 1.

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c.

Level 4 "Advanced Professional"

Project Scoping and program design Visioning Issue Identification Community Facilities and Infrastructure Forecasting and Modeling Transportation and Land Use Economic Development Planning Land Use Economics Public Health Planning Green Infrastructure and the Environment Housing and Community Development Neighborhood and Special Area Planning Alternatives Articulation and Analysis Consensus Building and Public Engagement Adoption and Public Approval

Asset Mapping Strategic Planning Community Empowerment Grants and Funding Income and Credit Building Neighborhood and Business District Revitalization Social Service Delivery Public Facilities Civic, Cultural, Social Vitality Recreation and Public Health Historic Preservation Quality of Life Planning Workforce Development

Land Use and Codes

1. Regulatory authority, limits and efficacy 2. Conventional, performance and form based zoning standards 3. Performance standards 4. Federal/State enabling legislation and case law 5. Site Design and Land Use Analysis 6. Building code review 7. Housing Maintenance code review 8. Site and building inspection 9. Documentation and tracking 10. Appeals and adjudication 11. Form Based regulation d. Sustainability Planning 1.

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Level 3 "AICP Planner"

b. Community Development 1.

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Level 2 “Emerging Professional”

Environment and ecological systems Economic Analysis Social Equity Concepts Public engagement Food Systems Planning Growth Management Renewable Energy Water Resources Soil Conservation

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Level 1 "Student"

Specialized Competencies e. Transportation Planning 1.

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Level 2 “Emerging Professional”

Level 3 "AICP Planner"

Level 4 "Advanced Professional"

Land Use and Transportation Demand Road Hierarchy, Access and Property Value Transportation Modes Capacity Analysis Transportation Demand and Capacity Analysis Transit and Transit Oriented Development Rail, Freight and Industry Ports, Airports, Intermodal Facilities Pathways and Pedestrian Systems Bicycle and non‐motorized System

f.

Natural Hazards and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness Planning 1. Local Resilience 2. Earth Science, History and Natural Hazards 3. Climate Change 4. Flood Plain and Hazard Mapping 5. Storm Water Management 6. Flood, Wind Proofing, Earthquake and Fire Safety Design Standards 7. System Strength, Autonomy and Redundancy 8. Emergency Communications and Active Early Warning Systems 9. Natural Systems capacity/wetlands/conservation 10. Slope stabilization/Erosion Management 11. Active Early Warning systems 12. Sustainable Development

g. Environmental and Natural Resources Planning 1. Earth Science, Biology, Environmental Chemistry and Natural Systems 2. Natural Resources and Environmental Analysis 3. Environmental Legislation and Policy 4. River Basin Planning and Management 5. Coastal Zone Planning 6. Climate Change 7. Air Pollution Control 8. Waste Water Reclamation 9. Environmental Impact Analysis 10. Conflict and Economic Development 11. GIS 12. Natural Resource 13. Endangered Species Protection Law

h. Economic Development 1. Economic Base Theory 2. SWOT analysis 3. Asset Analysis 4. Labor Force Analysis 5. Economic Development Strategy 6. TIF, BID, SSA’s and other incentives 7. Development Approval Processes 8. Tourism and Hospitality 9. Alternative Financing Mechanisms

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Level 1 "Student"

Specialized Competencies i.

Urban Design 1.

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Level 3 "AICP Planner"

Level 4 "Advanced Professional"

Analysis of Urban Form and Function Districts, Corridors, Interconnections, and edges Wayfinding and Legibility Views, movement and transitions Density, Intensity, Building Height Human Scale and Comfort Image, Identity , Sense of Place and Multicultural Context Public Places and Streetscape Climate Sensitive Design Public Safety Aesthetics, Emotion, Psychological, and social Context Public Art

Planning Management 1.

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Level 2 “Emerging Professional”

Program Evaluation Budgeting and Financial Administration Performance Assessment Strategic Planning Property and Resource Management Recruiting and Personnel Management Vendor Solicitation, Selection and Management Professional Development, Leadership and Mentoring Training and Working With Elected and Appointed Officials

k. Housing

1. Planning History and Housing Policy 2. Housing Market Analysis 3. Real Estate Economics and Market Segmentation 4. Federal and State Housing Law, Including Fair Housing 5. Public Health 6. Ensuring Housing QualityHousing Development Finance 7. Non‐Profit Housing Development and Management l. Parks and Recreation

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Parks and Open Space Planning and Site Design Recreation Programming Park System Master Plans Grants, Funding Facilities Management Healthy Communities Planning Scenic Resource Greenways, Pathways, and Trails Environmental Planning and Conservation Stormwater Management

m. Historic Preservation

1. Defining Historic Context 2. Secretary of Interior State and Local Historic Preservation Designation 3. Historic Building Protection and Regulation 4. Architectural Surveys 5. Historic Events, Pioneers and Local History 6. Historic Conservation Districts

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Level 1 "Student"

Specialized Competencies n. Community Activism/Empowerment 1.

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Level 2 “Emerging Professional”

Level 3 "AICP Planner"

Level 4 "Advanced Professional"

Planning Dispute Resolution Collaborative Governance Community Engagement and Citizen Participation Social Media tools Alternative Public Forums Neighborhood Planning and Community Leadership Forums

Competency Exercise Sources: A. APA Leadership Core Competencies Exercise Input – September 29, 2013.

B. AICP Certification Exam Subject Matter Outline

http://www.planning.org/certification/examprep/subjectmatter.htm C. “What Skills Do Successful Planners Possess?”

http://www.planning.org/aboutplanning/whatisplanning.htm#2 D. 2014‐15 APA Development Plan ‐ Our Core Values http://www.planning.org/leadership/developmentplan/ E. AICP Certification Exam – Professional Planning Experience Criteria

http://www.planning.org/certification/experience.htm F. AICP Certification Exam – Exam Specifications

http://www.planning.org/certification/examprep/subjectmatter.htm G. AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct ‐ Our Overall Responsibility to the Public

http://www.planning.org/ethics/ethicscode.htm H. FAICP Nomination Guidelines http://www.planning.org/faicp/ I. Planning Director Job Description ‐ From APA Planning Job Descriptions page http://www.planning.org/onthejob/descriptions/director.htm J. Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) Criteria ‐ Required knowledge, skills and values of the profession

http://www.planningaccreditationboard.org/ K. American Planning Association (ed.). 2006. Planning and Urban Design Standards.

L. Hack, Gary, Eugenie L. Birch, Paul H. Sedway and Mitchell J. Silver. 2009. Local Planning: Contemporary Principles and Practice.

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