VERY UNofficial: An AICP Study Guide Podcast
After preparing, studying for, and passing the exam in November of 2019, I realized there weren't a whole of FREE materials that helped with the certification process. I couldn't find much information relating to the application process (mostly the criteria questions), and while there were some free materials available online, I found it hard to find the time to set aside to study. And that's how this podcast was born. It serves as a free resource for people to prepare for the AICP certification, all in commute-sized audio clips.
Tue, February 11, 2025
Episode 38: Enter Engineers
Well, it feels good to be back! That was quite the little break I took, but I’m jumping back in. This week, kicking off with a few topics for some house cleaning. We’ll take a look at Nelson P. Lewis’s Book, “Planning of the Modern City” and the 1925 Survey Graphic issue on regional planning. Nelson P. Lewis “Planning of the Modern City”: https://www.planning.org/library/greatbooks/decade1.htm https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/epdf/10.1086/212701 https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/44...
Sat, February 01, 2025
2025 Teaser: We're Back
We're back! At least, in a few short days we will be. This time around, we'll be stronger than ever with added content for study assistance and all that super fun stuff. So stay tuned! Support the show
Thu, December 09, 2021
Episode 37: Booked on Planning
We're taking a short break to let you know about a new planning podcast coming your way. Booked on Planning is a podcast that goes deep into the planning books that have helped shape the world of community and regional planning. Stephanie Rouse, AICP - Professional Development Office of the Nebraska APA and host of the upcoming podcast - joins to talk about how the podcast came to be, what it's all about, and how it can help out AICP hopefuls and planning veterans alike. Bo...
Sat, October 30, 2021
Episode 36: Dust Control
In the 1930’s, the U.S. was taking conservation seriously. We put together a massive regional authority to handle conservation and energy issues in the Tennessee Valley, but we also attacked the growing issue called the Dust Bowl with two major Acts: The Taylor Grazing Act and the Soil Conservation Act. The Tennessee Valley Authority: https://www.tva.com/About-TVA/Our-History https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/history-of-the-tva The Taylor Grazing Act: T...
Tue, October 19, 2021
Episode 35: A Rose by Any Other Name
FDR and National Planning seem to go hand-in-hand. Because they do. Literally. Planning on a national level spanned almost the exact same time frame as FDR’s Presidency, and FDR just wouldn’t like it go away; bringing it back under name after name after name. Both Started in 1933, and National Planning died in 1943, two years before FDR. This one’s all about the blip on the planning radar called, National Planning. The National Planning Board: https://www.encycl...
Wed, October 06, 2021
Episode 34: 100 Days
I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people. Let us all here assembled constitute ourselves prophets of a new order of competence and of courage. This is more than a political campaign; it is a call to arms. Give me your help, not to win votes alone, but to win in the crusade to restore America to its own people. -FDR, July 2nd, 1932 FDR Inauguration and the New Deal Pitch: http://www.roosevelthouse.hunter.cuny.edu/seehowtheyran/portfolios/193...
Wed, August 25, 2021
Episode 33: All Good Things Must Come to an End
Well, saying goodbye to the roaring 20’s was bittersweet. Actually, it was just bitter. Bitter and depressing. When the good times from the 20’s caught up to everyone in October of 1929, the markets came crashing down. But why? And did we try and do anything to stop it? The Great Depression: https://www.britannica.com/story/causes-of-the-great-depression https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/great-depression-history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_...
Thu, August 12, 2021
Episode 32: Get Your Motor Runnin'
Get your motor runnin’, head out on the highway! Because the federal government ponied up some money in 1916 to make sure the roads were all in good condition. Or you can always head out on the parkway that New York built in 1919, and of course, you can always take your highway out to the first regional suburban shopping center too. Transportation Epochs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borchert%27s_Epochs#:~:text=Borchert's%20epochs%20refer%20to%20five,of%20growth%20of%20American%...
Thu, July 15, 2021
Episode 31: The Case for Zoning
This episode is all about making the case for zoning. Is zoning constitutional? Is it a taking? Does it violate the 14th Amendment? (That’s the Due Process clause) What about simple Use Regulations? What about legislative acts? These are the things that U.S. Supreme Court had to debate. One thing is for sure though. When in doubt, APPEAL! Hadacheck v. Sebastian: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadacheck_v._Sebastian https://www.lexis...
Wed, July 07, 2021
Episode 30: It's All Pretty Standard
I mean, it’s all pretty standard. Standard state zoning, standard city planning. And in the name of what again? In an effort to protect residential properties, these two acts were probably two of the more pivotal moments in planning. Shaping the way we are today, did they also sort of set-up the copy-and-paste legacy of resolutions? Herbert Hoover: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover Standard State Zoning Enabling Act (SZEA): https://www.planning...
Wed, June 30, 2021
Episode 29: You're Such an Enabler, Wisconsin
Geez Wisconsin, you’re such an enabler. You’re making all your first, second, and third tier cities feel like they can form Planning Commissions. Oh, that’s intentional? Well, it ended up being a great idea, especially when you consider the legacy that it left behind. Wisconsin Planning Enabling Act (1909): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1909/related/acts/162.pdf https://www.law.du.edu/documents/rmlui/conference/powerpoints/2013/Meck-RMLUI-2-6-2013v2.pdf https://www...
Fri, June 18, 2021
Episode 28: In the Future, the System Must Be First
In the future, the system must be first. At least, that’s what Frederick Taylor thought when he devised his Scientific Management theory that ended up kicking off the City Efficient Movement. Efficient? Maybe. But was it all unicorns, roses, and rainbows? The Principles of Scientific Management by Frederick Winslow Taylor (1911): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Principles_of_Scientific_Management https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/scientific-managem...
Fri, May 07, 2021
Episode 27: Boulevard of Beautiful Dreams
I walk a lonely road. Wait, no I don’t, because this City Beautiful movement brought the people out! As a reaction to the rapidly densifying and grimy industrialized cities, City Beautiful came with a promise for a city that we could all love and enjoy. Did it work? Daniel Burnham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Burnham City Beautiful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Beautiful_movement#:~:text=The%20City%20Beautiful%20Movement%20was,and%20monumental%20...
Wed, April 28, 2021
Episode 26: Growing a Garden City
Like normal gardens, Garden Cities needed a love and attention to grow, and they definitely got it. Garden Cities are maybe one of the more influential planning movements to date. As a reaction to the rapid industrialization of the city, the Garden City movement tried to make the best of all worlds. But how did it start, and how did it evolve. Ebenezer Howard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebenezer_Howard Letchworth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letchworth htt...
Fri, April 16, 2021
Episode 25: Baby Planning's Book of Firsts
Planning in the early 1900’s was really just a baby – a cute little planning baby. And we as planners, like to look back and remember all of the special “first” moments in the life of the little planning baby. So let’s take a look at the first baby steps of the First Comprehensive Survey, Permanent Planning Commission, Citizen Conference, and finally, the first city-wide Comprehensive Plan. Support the show
Thu, April 08, 2021
Episode 24: We're Going Regional
Time to take this thing regional. We’ve been focusing a lot on the individual cities, but our friend Patrick Geddes opened up the world of planning to this crazy idea that we should start thinking about our places in the context of other places, and Boston, Ohio, New York, and Los Angeles apparently got the memos. Mind. Blown. Cities in Evolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Geddes https://archive.org/details/citiesinevolutio00gedduoft/page/n17/mode/2up?ref=...
Thu, April 01, 2021
Episode 23: Early Zoning's New Heights
Come on and get in the zone! More like, “Get out of the zone.” Since we started urbanizing rapidly, we got into the realization that somethings just don’t belong together – like residential houses and slaughterhouses. Finding a way to make those two get a long wasn’t always easy, and navigating these scary skyscraper things created their own challenges. That solution required taking this developing thing called zoning to new heights. Nuisance Law: https://en.wikipedia...
Wed, March 24, 2021
Episode 22: Back to School
Whelp, it’s time to go back to school. We need to learn a little more about the first course dedicated to city planning, and we need a professor dedicated to teaching city planning, and we need a textbook dedicated to city planning. Can we get it all in one place? Nope, but we’ll look at the two colleges that started it all. First Course in Planning: https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/landscape-architecture/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Sturgis_Pray http://urbanplanni...
Wed, March 03, 2021
Episode 21: Chicago's Got No Little Plans
Chicago? They don’t make little plans there - City of broad shoulders, City of big plans. At least, that’s what Daniel Burnham told them when he wrote up the 1909 Plan of Chicago with Edward Bennett. In fact, the plans were so big that Charles Wacker called up a guy named Walter Moody to write a textbook about it. Daniel Burnham’s Plan of Chicago: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnham_Plan_of_Chicago http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10537.html https://...
Thu, February 18, 2021
Episode 20: Writs of Certiorari
Yeah…so I’m going to need everything you got on that case please? That’s how I imagine the U.S. Supreme Court asks a lower court for their files, at least. We kick off some case reviews in this episode with Mugler v. Kansas and The U.S. v. Gettysburg Electric Railway Company. Mugler v. Kansas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mugler_v._Kansas https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/123/623.html U.S. v. Gettysburg Electric Railway Company: https://en.wikipedia.org/w...
Wed, February 10, 2021
Episode 19: Vital Internal Problems
The U.S. has 99 problems, but water and forests are actually – as Teddy Roosevelt called them – “vital internal problems.” Unfortunately, our favorite conservationist President could only make so much headway. From reclamation projects to trying to counteract corruption and develop healthier waterways, he definitely embodied the sentiments of Progressive Era America. US Reclamation Act of 1902: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newlands_Reclamation_Act https://www.oregon...
Wed, February 03, 2021
Episode 18: Vicks Won't Fix This
Would someone finally do something about these tenements? Well, in 1901, New York did. From there, the focus turned to congestion of population and what to do about it because Vicks VapoRub isn’t going to clear this problem up. Enter Benjamin Marsh. If you don’t know who he is, you should, and you will. New York State Tenement Housing Act of 1901: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Tenement_House_Act http://www.livingcityarchive.org/htm/framesets...
Wed, January 27, 2021
Episode 17: What the Essays?!?
Well, they're actually the same essays in the new format. If you got your applications in on time to submit the essays; good news. Shane and Alex from Planning Certification joined us to talk about the essays, what the review committee is looking for, and give a few tips on how to approach them. So crack those knuckles and buckle down. Don’t sweat it too much though, with their help, it’s easier than you think. Planning Certification: https://aicpexam.com/ APA’s ...
Wed, January 20, 2021
Episode 16: The Application Process (REMIX!)
Congratulations! You decided to pursue an AICP Certification and join the group of people who put AICP after their name! Now comes the fun part of sorting out the eligibility requirements, navigating deadlines, and submitting your credentials. The APA adjusted the certification process this time around, so we’re to help you sort through the changes and walk you through the application process – and that’s before you’ve even signed up for the exam or submitted your experience essays. &nb...
Thu, November 12, 2020
Episode 15: A Company Town, a White City, and a Garden City Walk Into a Bar...
From company towns to the 1893 World’s Fair and the birth of the City Beautiful Movement, to the birth of the Garden City Movement in the book Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform, planning theory and ideology really started to take shape in the final decades of the 1800’s. Pullman, Illinois http://www.pullmanil.org/town.htm#:~:text=The%20model%20industrial%20town%20of,of%20Pullman's%20Palace%20Car%20Company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman,_Chicago https://www.history.c...
Wed, November 04, 2020
Episode 14: The Mountains Are Calling
The end of the 1800’s marked a time when environmentalism was taking off like a jet plane (or maybe a steam engine). Advocates for the preservation and conservation of land for the public’s enjoyment started to emerge, and as timbering began threatening our most revered forests, ensuring the continued beauty of places like the Yosemite Valley became paramount. General Revision Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Revision_Act#:~:text=Often%20seen%20as%20a%20proactive,unclaim...
Wed, October 28, 2020
Episode 13: Show Me The Money
Hey Henry George, Show. Me. The Money!!! Oh, there isn’t any? Societal advancements are lifting up the wealthy and crushing the poor, you say? Land is being underutilized, thus stagnating wages due to property speculation which creates a disconnect between progress and poverty? Is there a solution to this problem? Links https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_George https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_and_Poverty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_capture https://en.w...
Tue, October 20, 2020
Episode 12: Every Man's Experience
We’re picking back up with the tenements. More importantly, how the first tenements evolved into the dreaded dumbbell tenement, and how an immigrant from Denmark helped start housing reform with a future president. Every man’s experience has to be worth something. Tenement House Acts https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/tenements#:~:text=The%20Tenement%20House%20Act%20of,or%20privy)%20per%2020%20people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Tenement_House_Act https:/...
Mon, October 12, 2020
Episode 11: We're Chuggin' Along
Show Notes: We’re starting our little journey today NOT in 1869 when the transcontinental railroad was completed, but rather in 1862 when Lincoln signed into law the very aptly named, ”Pacific Railway Act of 1862.” From there, we’ll see how that impacted exploration, and more importantly, the effects of John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Arid Regions. Transcontinental Railroad https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=32https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?fla...
Tue, October 06, 2020
Episode 10: You Get a Bunch of Acres!
1862 was a year filled with handing away land to promote settlement. We wanted everyone to benefit in this relatively new country and we wanted to make sure everyone had access to quality education. So how exactly did we go about doing that? Homestead Act of 1862 https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act#:~:text=President%20Abraham%20Lincoln%20signed%20the,pay%20a%20small%20registration%20fee. https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=31 https:...
Tue, September 29, 2020
Episode 9: Civilization is Crumbling
Okay…so Civilization isn’t CRUMBLING - that’s a bit dramatic. BUT housing and living conditions sure did take a nosedive when tenements started being built. What caused this? When did it happen? Who did anything about it? And how did it affect the way communities were being planned? Well, that’s what we cover in Episode 9. Enjoy! First Model Tenement: http://yuriartibise.com/history-urbanism-north-america-1800s/#:~:text=1855%20The%20First%20Mod...
Tue, September 22, 2020
Episode 8: By Land or By Sea
Now that the land we won from the Revolutionary War got all sliced and diced and sold and given away, people started moving west. It wasn’t easy though. Getting out there was hard, and making a living was even harder. The Appalachian Mountains almost left the new western frontier out in the proverbial cold, but innovations in the National Road and Erie Canal made it all possible. The National Road: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Road https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/i...
Tue, September 15, 2020
Episode 7: Now That We Found Land, What Are We Gonna Do With It?
After the Revolutionary War ended with the Treaty of Paris, the new Confederation didn’t really know what to do. We were broke, feeling our way through uncharted territory, and became the recipients of an enormous swath of land. But now that we’ve got this land, what are we gonna do with it? Land Ordinance of 1784: https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Ordinance_of_1784#:~:text=The%20Ordinance%20of%201784%20was,west%20of%20the%20Ohio%20River.&text=The%20Congress%20hoped%20to%20sell...
Wed, September 09, 2020
Episode 6: So It Begins
This week we’re turning back the clock even farther to planning’s colonial roots. We’ll talk about the two big examples, Philadelphia and what was called…”The Holy Experiment,” and Savannah and its historic squares. First, we'll discuss a little bit about what colonial planning is generally characterized as and why it came about, just to provide some context. Great Fire of London: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Fire_of_London The Holy Experiment: https://en.wikipedia....
Mon, August 31, 2020
Episode 5: How Did We Get Here?
Do you know what the history of the American Planning Association is? Well, there’s a good chance you’ll need to know in case there’s a question on the AICP about it. APA History Link: https://www.planning.org/history/#:~:text=On%20October%201%2C%201978%2C%20the,American%20Society%20of%20Planning%20Officials.&text=We%20have%20grown%20from%20an,17%2C000%20are%20certified%20by%20AICP. MIT Archives on AIP: http://world.std.com/~mehopper/Pro/AIP.htm Support the show
Tue, August 25, 2020
Episode 4: What's the Game Plan?
Shane and Alexandra from Planning Certification agreed to talk with us some more about some tips and tricks on how to structure your study time, manage your time and anxieties on test day, and just generally get ready for it so that you're in the best position you can possibly be in when you sit down. Show Links: https://www.planningmi.org/aicp www.planningcertification.com Support the show
Mon, August 17, 2020
Episode 3: What to Expect When You're Expecting...To Take the Exam
So you've received the great news that you're going to be taking the exam.... Congratulations! But then comes the good 'ole fashioned question...now what? Well, I talked with Alex and Shane of Planning Certification for some more insight into what we can expect with the exam. We cover some general topics like how many questions, what kinds of questions, stuff like that. It's important to know the logistics of the make-up of the exam, so that you know how the questions...
Mon, August 10, 2020
Episode 2: It's All About the Process
So, you decided to pursue an AICP Certification. Now comes the fun part of sorting out the eligibility requirements, navigating deadlines, and submitting your credentials and criteria responses. We’re here to help walk you through those, and hopefully clear up anything that might be confusing. Eligibility Criteria: https://www.planning.org/certification/eligible/ AICP Guide Part 1: https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/document/AICP-Guide-Part-1-C...
Mon, August 03, 2020
Episode 1: To AICP or Not to AICP
AICP. Is it worth it? We’re looking at the benefits of AICP certification and talking with Andrew Moore, Planning and Zoning Administrator for the City of Canal Winchester about why he chose to skip certification…for now. Reasons for AICP Certification: https://planning.org/aicp/why/ APA 2018 Salary Survey: https://www.planning.org/salary/summary/ Support the show
Thu, July 16, 2020
Teaser
Welcome to the VERY UNofficial AICP Study Guide Podcast. Coming soon to a podcast near you, we'll cover everything related to the American Institute of Certified Planners Exam in commute-sized chunks. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the releases. Support the show
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