of Ethics Online Collection: None
CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
(Adopted September 10, 1981)
This Code is a guide to the ethical conduct required of members of the
American Institute of Certified Planners. The Code also aims at informing
the public of the principles to which professional planners are committed.
Systematic discussion of the application of these principles, among planners
and with the public, is itself essential behavior to bring the Code into
daily use.
The Code's standards of behavior provide a basis for adjudicating any
charge that a member has acted unethically. However, the Code also provides
more than the minimum threshold of enforceable acceptability. It sets
aspirational standards that require conscious striving to attain.
The principles of the Code derive both from the general values of society
and from the planning profession's special responsibility to serve the
public interest. As the basic values of society are often in competition
with each other, so also do the principles of this Code sometimes compete.
For example, the need to provide full public information may compete with
the need to respect confidences. Plans and programs often result from
a balancing among divergent interests. An ethical judgment often also
requires a conscientious balancing, based on the facts and context of
a particular situation and on the precepts of the entire Code. Formal
procedures for filing of complaints, investigation and resolution of alleged
violations and the issuance of advisory rulings are part of the Code.
The Planner's Responsibility to the Public
A. A planner's primary obligation is to serve the public interest. While
the definition of the public interest is formulated through continuous
debate, a planner owes allegiance to a conscientiously attained concept
of the public interest, which requires these special obligations:
1) A planner must have special concern for the long range consequences
of present actions.
2) A planner must pay special attention to the interrelatedness of decisions.
3) A planner must strive to provide full, clear and accurate information
on planning issues to citizens and governmental decision-makers.
4) A planner must strive to give citizens the opportunity to have a meaningful
impact on the development of plans and programs. Participation should
be broad enough to include people who lack formal organization or influence.
5) A planner must strive to expand choice and opportunity for all persons,
recognizing a special responsibility to plan for the needs of disadvantaged
groups and persons, and must urge the alteration of policies, institutions
and decisions which oppose such needs.
6) A planner must strive to protect the integrity of the natural environment.
7) A planner must strive for excellence of environmental design and endeavor
to conserve the heritage of the built environment.
The Planner's Responsibility to Clients and Employers
B. A planner owes diligent, creative, independent and competent performance
of work in pursuit of the client's or employer's interest. Such performance
should be consistent with the planner's faiifful service to the public
interest.
1) A planner must exercise independent professional judgment on behalf
of clients and employers.
2) A planner must accept the decisions Of a client or employer concerning
the objectives and nature of the professional services to be performed
unless the course of action to be pursued involves conduct which is illegal
or inconsistent with the planner's primary obligation to the public interest.
3) A planner must not, without the consent of the client or employer,
and only after full disclosure, accept or continue to perform work if
there is an actual, apparent, or reasonably foreseeable conflict between
the interests of the client or employer and
the personal or financial interest of the planner or of another past or
present client or employer of the planner.
4) A planner must not solicit prospective clients or employment through
use of false or misleading claims, harassment or duress.
5) A planner must not sell or offer to sell services by stating or implying
an ability to influence decisions by improper means.
6) A planner must not use the power of any office to seek or obtain a
special advantage that is not in the public interest nor any special advantage
that is not a matter of public knowledge.
7) A planner must not accept or continue to-perform work beyond the planner's
professional competence or accept work which cannot be performed with
the promptness required by the prospective client or employer, or which
is required by the circumstances of the assignment.
8) A planner must not reveal information gained in a professional relationship
which the client or employer has requested be held inviolate. Exceptions
to this requirement of non-disclosure may be made only when (a) required
by process of law, or (b) required to prevent a clear violation of law,
or (c) required to prevent a substantial injury to the public. Disclosure
pursuant to (b) and (c) must not be made until after the planner has verified
the facts and issues involved and, when practicable, has exhausted efforts
to obtain reconsideration of the matter and has sought separate opinions
on the issue from other qualified professionals employed by the client
or employer.
The Planner's Responsibility to the Profession and to Colleagues
C. A planner should contribute to the development of the profession by
improving knowledge and techniques, making work relevant to solutions
of community problems, and increasing public understanding of planning
activities. A planner should treat fairly the professional views of qualifed
colleagues and members of other professions.
1) A planner must protect and enhance the integrity of the profession
and must be responsible in criticism of the profession.
2) A planner must accurately represent the qualifications, views and findings
of colleagues.
3) A planner, who has responsibility for reviewing the work of other professionals,
must fulfill this responsibility in a fair, considerate, professional
and equitable manner.
4) A planner must share the results of experience and research which contribute
to the body of planning knowledge.
5) A planner must examine the applicability of planning theories, methods
and standards to the facts and analysis of each
particular situation and must not accept the applicability of a customary
solution without first establishing its appropriateness to the situation.
6) A planner must contribute time and information to the professional
development of students, interns, beginning professionals and other colleagues.
7) A planner must strive to increase the opportunities for women and members
of recognized minorities to become professional planners.
The Planner's Self-Responsibility
D. A planner should strive for high standards of professional integrity,
proficiency and knowledge.
1) A planner must not commit a deliberately wrongful act which reflects
adversely on the planner's professional fitness.
2) A planner must respect the rights of others and, in particular, must
not improperly discriminate against persons.
3) A planner must strive to continue professional education.
4) A planner must accurately represent professional qualifications, education
and affiliations.
5) A planner must systematically and critically analyze ethical issues
in the practice of planning.
6) A planner must strive to contribute time and effort to groups lacking
in adequate planning resources and to voluntary professional activities.
