American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which of the following tools is NOT a part of growth management?

1. Land-use regulation

2. Urban boundary setting

3. Property taxes

4. Comprehensive planning

The correct answer is: Property taxes

Property taxes are not typically considered a direct tool of growth management. Growth management primarily focuses on controlling and guiding the development of land and infrastructure to accommodate population growth while preserving resources and maintaining community character. Land-use regulation, urban boundary setting, and comprehensive planning are all explicit strategies used in growth management. Land-use regulations help control what types of development can occur in certain areas, influencing the overall growth pattern. Urban boundary setting defines limits on urban development to protect surrounding rural or natural areas, contributing to more focused and sustainable growth. Comprehensive planning, meanwhile, provides a holistic framework for addressing growth and development issues, ensuring that land use decisions align with community goals and future projections. In contrast, property taxes primarily serve as a financial mechanism for local governments to generate revenue, which can influence local services and infrastructure but do not directly manage the growth of urban areas or development patterns. Thus, property taxes are not categorized as a specific tool of growth management.