What We Test
Competition Categories
Five pillars of urban planning, each tested in depth.
IUPO covers five core categories that reflect the breadth of urban planning as a discipline. Competitors are tested across all categories, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of how cities work.
Transportation
How do people and goods move through cities? This category covers public transit systems, active transportation, traffic engineering, freight logistics, and the future of urban mobility. Expect questions on transit-oriented development, complete streets, congestion pricing, and multimodal networks.
Zoning & Land Use
Zoning shapes what can be built and where. This category explores how cities regulate land use, the history and reform of zoning codes, mixed-use development, density, and the tension between property rights and community planning.
Housing & Community Development
Housing is a fundamental human need and one of urban planning's most pressing challenges. This category addresses affordable housing policy, community development strategies, gentrification, homelessness, and the role of public and private sectors in housing provision.
Urban Policy
Cities are governed by complex webs of policy at local, regional, and national levels. This category covers governance structures, public participation, fiscal policy, economic development, and the political dimensions of planning decisions.
Sustainable Cities
How do we build cities that are environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable? This category focuses on climate resilience, green infrastructure, energy systems, environmental justice, and sustainable development frameworks.