APA American Institute of Certified Planners Exam AICP Question # 35 Topic 4 Discussion
AICP Exam Topic 4 Question 35 Discussion:
Question #: 35
Topic #: 4
A city is working to create a form-based code for their commercial district. What standard is typically included in this planning approach that would not be found in a Euclidean-based code?
Form-based codes (FBCs) focus on the physical form and design of buildings rather than their use, which is a key distinction from Euclidean zoning. Euclidean zoning, named after the 1926 caseVillage of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., primarily regulates land use (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) and includes standards like parking ratios, use regulations, and setback restrictions to separate uses and control density. In contrast, form-based codes emphasize the shape, scale, and design of buildings to create a cohesive urban environment. Building typologies—standards that define the types of buildings (e.g., mixed-use structures, townhouses) based on their form and placement—are a hallmark of FBCs and are not typically found in Euclidean codes, which focus on separating uses rather than prescribing building forms. According to the APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Areas of Practice,” FBCs are noted for their emphasis on “regulating the physical form of development rather than land use,” directly supporting the inclusion of building typologies as a distinguishing feature. Additionally, theForm-Based Codes Institute(referenced in APA study materials) defines FBCs as prioritizing “building types and their relationship to the street,” which aligns with option D.
[References: APA AICP Certification Exam Content Outline (2022), Form-Based Codes Institute, APA PAS Report on Form-Based Codes., ]
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