AICP Code of Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An AICP planner discovers that a colleague fabricated data in a public report. What is the planner's ethical obligation?
- Report the misconduct to AICP (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to avoid workplace conflict
- Correct the data privately without disclosure
- Defer to the colleague's professional judgment
Correct answer: Report the misconduct to AICP
AICP members have an obligation to report unethical conduct by fellow planners to the appropriate authority.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes a planner's obligation under the AICP Code when serving a client whose goals conflict with the public interest?
- The planner must prioritize the public interest over the client's interest (Correct answer)
- The planner must fulfill the client's wishes regardless of public impact
- The planner may choose either based on professional judgment
- The planner should resign rather than advise the client
Correct answer: The planner must prioritize the public interest over the client's interest
The AICP Code places the public interest above obligations to clients or employers.
Question 3: A planner is offered free tickets to a sporting event by a developer whose project is under review. Under AICP ethics, the planner should:
- Decline the gift to avoid a conflict of interest (Correct answer)
- Accept if the value is below $25
- Accept and disclose it to a supervisor
- Accept because social relationships are normal
Correct answer: Decline the gift to avoid a conflict of interest
Planners must avoid gifts from parties with interests in decisions they influence to prevent conflicts of interest.
Question 4: The AICP Code of Ethics identifies which primary responsibility as the foundation of planning practice?
- Serving the public interest (Correct answer)
- Advancing the profession's reputation
- Satisfying client demands
- Maximizing economic development
Correct answer: Serving the public interest
The foundational principle of AICP ethics is that planners owe their primary obligation to the public interest.
Question 5: Which scenario represents a planner fulfilling the obligation to 'expand choice and opportunity for all persons'?
- Advocating for affordable housing options in an exclusionary zoning area (Correct answer)
- Recommending high-end development to increase tax revenue
- Focusing exclusively on the majority population's preferences
- Limiting public input to streamline the planning process
Correct answer: Advocating for affordable housing options in an exclusionary zoning area
Expanding choice and opportunity means actively working to reduce exclusion and increase access for underserved populations.
Question 6: Under the AICP Code, a planner who disagrees with a client's legally permissible but ethically questionable project should first:
- Clearly communicate their concerns to the client (Correct answer)
- Immediately withdraw from the project
- Proceed without comment to preserve the relationship
- Report the client to AICP enforcement
Correct answer: Clearly communicate their concerns to the client
The Code requires planners to communicate ethical concerns clearly before taking more drastic steps such as withdrawal.
Question 7: The AICP Code's requirement to 'be honest' applies in which of the following situations?
- All professional communications including testimony, reports, and public statements (Correct answer)
- Only formal legal testimony and sworn statements
- Only written reports submitted to government bodies
- Only communications with clients and employers
Correct answer: All professional communications including testimony, reports, and public statements
The honesty obligation under the AICP Code applies comprehensively across all professional communications and contexts.
AICP Code of Ethics 2
An AICP planner discovers that a colleague fabricated data in a public report.
What is the planner's ethical obligation?