American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which planning approach emphasizes community involvement and consensus building?

1. Consensus planning

2. Strategic planning

3. Adaptive planning

4. Traditional planning

The correct answer is: Consensus planning

The planning approach that emphasizes community involvement and consensus building is consensus planning. This method prioritizes the engagement of various stakeholders, including residents, local organizations, and other community members, to ensure that the planning process reflects a broad range of perspectives and interests. Consensus planning seeks to create an inclusive atmosphere where all voices are heard, facilitating discussions that lead to collective agreement on planning goals and strategies. By valuing input from different segments of the community, this approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among participants, which can ultimately lead to more sustainable and widely accepted outcomes. In contrast, strategic planning may focus more on long-term goals and priorities but does not inherently emphasize the same level of community involvement. Adaptive planning is focused on flexibility and responsiveness to change, while traditional planning often follows top-down methods with less community engagement. This distinction highlights why consensus planning is particularly recognized for its collaborative nature and its goal of achieving shared understanding and commitment within the community.