American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

The late Paul Davidoff referred to which of the following as "the major land-use innovation of the 1980s"?

1. Urban renewal

2. The Block Grant program

3. Inclusionary zoning

4. Model Zoning Ordinance

The correct answer is: Inclusionary zoning

Paul Davidoff, a prominent planner and advocate for social equity in land-use policies, is known for his significant contributions to the concept of inclusionary zoning during the 1980s. Inclusionary zoning refers to policies that encourage or require developers to include a certain percentage of affordable housing units in new residential developments. This innovative approach was seen as a crucial response to issues of housing affordability and can be viewed as a method to promote social equity by integrating lower-income households into thriving communities. In the context of Davidoff's work, inclusionary zoning was a notable advancement as it directly addressed the growing concerns about urban sprawl, segregation, and the affordability crisis. By emphasizing mixed-income neighborhoods, this approach aimed to foster social inclusivity and ensure that a diverse population could access quality housing and services. Other options, while relevant to land-use planning discussions, do not encapsulate the transformative impact that inclusionary zoning had in reshaping urban policy and addressing the socio-economic divides of the time. Urban renewal, for example, primarily focused on redeveloping deteriorating areas but often resulted in displacement without incorporating affordable options. The Block Grant program is a funding mechanism rather than a land-use innovation, and the Model Zoning Ordinance provided a framework for standard