Urban Planning Terms

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Questions and Answers

In the context of urban planning, how does adaptive reuse MOST comprehensively address the challenges associated with preserving historical architectural assets while fostering contemporary urban development?

By converting existing structures for new purposes, integrating modern functionality and design while retaining significant historical features and contextual elements. (correct)
By prioritizing demolition and reconstruction of historic buildings using modern materials to meet current building codes and sustainability standards.
By exclusively focusing on facade preservation to maintain the aesthetic integrity of historical buildings, regardless of their functional obsolescence.
By implementing strict zoning regulations that limit alterations to historical buildings, effectively freezing them in time and preventing any adaptive modifications.

Under what specific circumstances would a municipality MOST likely suspend ordinary zoning regulations for a Planned Unit Development (PUD)?

When the PUD exclusively features single-family detached housing to promote suburban expansion.
When the developer contributes significantly to the municipal treasury, regardless of the PUD's adherence to planning principles.
When the PUD demonstrably offers superior community benefits, such as increased open space, diverse housing options, and integrated public amenities, exceeding standard zoning requirements. (correct)
When the PUD replicates existing development patterns, ensuring uniformity and predictability in the urban landscape.

How does the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) MOST directly influence urban density and built environment characteristics?

By dictating the maximum height of buildings to preserve viewsheds.
By regulating the total building floor area relative to the lot size, controlling density and impacting factors like light access, open space, and infrastructure demand. (correct)
By mandating the provision of parking spaces to mitigate traffic congestion.
By specifying the minimum setbacks from property lines to ensure uniformity in streetscapes.

What is the MOST significant critique of urban sprawl regarding its socio-economic and environmental consequences?

It exacerbates social segregation, increases infrastructure costs, and contributes to environmental degradation through increased automobile dependence and habitat fragmentation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), what is the MOST critical factor distinguishing an 'Urban TOD' from a general TOD?

Urban TODs are exclusively located along high-capacity transit corridors, such as light rail, heavy rail, or express bus lines, ensuring seamless connectivity without transfers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does incentive zoning MOST effectively promote public benefits within urban development projects?

By allowing developers additional building rights or regulatory concessions in exchange for providing amenities like public plazas, affordable housing, or green spaces. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the realm of environmental impact assessments for large urban projects, what analytical framework would MOST rigorously evaluate the potential cumulative and cascading effects of a proposed development on ecosystem services and long-term environmental sustainability?

A systems-based modeling approach that incorporates ecological, social, and economic variables to assess complex interactions and feedback loops. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST profound impact of gentrification on existing low-income communities?

It displaces long-term residents due to rising housing costs and altered neighborhood character, eroding social networks and cultural identity. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'block-busting' MOST fundamentally undermine the principles of fair housing and equitable urban development?

By exploiting racial or social prejudices to induce property sales and create segregated neighborhoods, leading to long-term social and economic disparities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST critical distinction between 'urban renewal' and 'urban rehabilitation' in the context of revitalizing distressed urban areas?

Urban renewal entails comprehensive redevelopment and clearance of blighted areas, whereas urban rehabilitation emphasizes upgrading and improving existing structures and infrastructure. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies would MOST effectively promote adherence to New Urbanism principles in suburban retrofit projects?

Implementing form-based codes to prioritize compact, mixed-use development, pedestrian-friendly streets, and interconnected networks. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental aspect of land use planning MOST directly relates to social policy?

Ensuring that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the wider economy and population to protect the environment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the primary goal of social planning?

To help communities identify strengths and weaknesses and determine ways to improve the quality of life in the community. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What specific action is MOST indicative of the 'interactional process of social planning'?

Investigation, discussions, and agreement by a number of people in the preparation and carrying out of a program. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is mathematical representation a crucial technique in comprehensive planning?

To quantify evaluations and diagrams illustrating relationships between different parts of the plan. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST effective way to describe 'comprehensive planning'?

A long-range planning and policy analysis through the preparation, maintenance and administration of the comprehensive plan. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Arrange the following steps of the Comprehensive Planning Process in the MOST logical order:

Stating goals

Collecting Data

Identifying Issues

Preparing the plan

3, 1, 2, 4 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the major goal of economic planning, in urban development?

To control how key economic decisions are made or infuenced by central governments. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which analysis determines community goals and aspirations in terms of community development?

Comprehensive Planning (A) Signup and view all the answers

What function does financial planning perform in the setting of sustainable development?

Providing resources for short and long term savings by Allocates future income to various types of expenses, such as rents or utilities, and also reserves some income for short term and long-term savings. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How could public knowledge of Architectural Planning methodologies, assist developers to construct better subdivisions?

Knowledge of architectural elements will help the design of building projects. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement BEST describes a 'plan' in the world of urban planning and development?

Method of doing something or orderly arrangements of parts of an objective. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does event planning play a role in strategic urban development initiatives?

By creating cultural events, budgeting, establishing dates, and alternate dates, selecting and reserving the event site, acquiring permits, and coordinating transportation and parking. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which analysis technique is MOST suitable for evaluating external factors affecting a strategic plan?

STEER Analysis (A) Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario would you use PEST analysis?

Undertaking a political, economic, social or technological analysis. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How are streets and sidewalks impacted in New Urbanism developments?

Streets and sidewalks should be covered with rows of trees and other landscaping elements. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement BEST describes the Congress for New Urbanism?

The congress for the New Urbanism was founded in 1993 mainly as a response against sprawl-type developments (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the general consensus on the effect of Sprawl on population health?

The term generally has negative connotations due to the health, environmental and cultural issues. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of New Urbanism, what is the ideal proximity of dwellings to the neighborhood center?

Most dwelling must be within a five-minute walk of the center (an average of roughly 600-700 meters) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a grid pattern of streets within a New Urbanism neighborhood?

This disperses traffic by providing a variety of pedestrian and vehicular routes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What feature defines centralization, in urban planning?

An Urban ecological process in city land use patterning referring to an increase in population at a certain geographic center. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which consideration is critical when evaluating the environmental impact of any major urban planning project?

Description of project, description of environment, impact on environment, adverse environmental effects, long-range impact. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In what sense does cluster zoning affect an urban environment?

Creating special zoning policies for medium to large-scale controlled developments such as PUDs. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What consideration is of MOST importance for transit-oriented developments?

A mixed use residential and commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following analyses relates to environmental, political, informatics, social, technological, economic and legal factors?

EPISTEL (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main process of strategic planning?

Process of defining tactics, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How many founders did the Congress for New Urbanism have according to the provided text?

7 (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Ratio of the built area to the lot area.

Zoning Controls

Legal regulation of land use based on growth patterns.