Architectural Design, Planning, and Urbanism
This domain integrates design quality with planning law and urban context. Candidates must understand spatial planning instruments (spatial plans, urban plans, zoning), the building permit process, and the relationship between plot, building, and public space. Know the parameters that regulate development: building footprint, floor area ratio, height, setbacks, and coverage. Design questions test functional layout, accessibility, fire safety integration, and response to context and climate.
Urbanism covers settlement structure, density, mobility, public space, and heritage protection. Understand the difference between strategic and regulatory plans, and how a location permit differs from a building permit. Accessibility requirements-ramps, door widths, sanitary facilities-are frequently tested.
Traps
A common trap is confusing floor area ratio with coverage ratio, or applying a rule without checking the plan's specific provisions. Another is treating a location permit as construction approval; it establishes conditions, not permission to build. Heritage questions often test whether you recognize that protected buildings require conservation approval before intervention. Design questions may reward a scheme that ignores orientation, prevailing wind, or noise sources.
Worked example
On a 1,000 m² plot with a coverage limit of 30% and a floor area ratio of 0.9, the maximum footprint is 300 m² and the maximum gross floor area is 900 m², allowing up to three storeys if each is about 300 m². Always confirm the plan's definitions before calculating.