PCATP Town Planner study plan

PCATP Town Planner · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Town Planning

Map the statutory planning framework (federal, provincial, local) by drawing an annotated hierarchy diagram from national legislation down to municipal bylaws
Compile a one-page glossary of 30 core planning terms (zoning, land use, density, FAR, setback, easement, variance) with a one-line definition each
Summarize the plan-making cycle (survey, analysis, draft, public participation, adoption, review) in a 300-word process note with statutory timeframes where known

A 2-page planning-framework cheat sheet plus a 30-term glossary, self-quizzed to 80% recall

Week 2

Compare zoning instruments (euclidean, form-based, performance, overlay) by tabulating purpose, typical controls, and strengths/weaknesses
Solve 10 land-use arithmetic problems (density, floor area, coverage, parking ratios, population yield) and show worked steps
Explain the development approval workflow (pre-application, submission, technical review, public hearing, decision, appeal) as a flowchart with actor roles

A worked problem set of 10 land-use calculations at 90% accuracy plus a one-page approval flowchart

Week 3

Outline the components of a master plan and a neighbourhood plan, listing required drawings, reports, and implementation tools
Identify the regulatory instruments that link planning to architecture (building code, zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations) and state which governs which design decision
Sketch and label the main architectural drawing types (site plan, floor plan, elevation, section, detail) and note their planning-review purpose

A crosswalk table matching 15 planning controls to the architectural drawings that demonstrate compliance

Week 4

Summarize structural systems (load-bearing masonry, frame, shear wall, steel, timber) with their span limits, typical uses, and planning implications
Explain building envelope and environmental control principles (thermal, moisture, ventilation, daylight) in a 400-word note with design examples
Describe accessibility and life-safety provisions (egress, fire separation, ramps, clearances) and how they constrain site and floor planning

A 1,500-word illustrated study note on building systems and code-driven design, with 10 self-test questions answered

Week 5

Compare architectural styles and periods (vernacular, colonial, modern, contemporary) by era, key features, and planning/contextual fit
Draft a one-page summary of the architect's professional obligations: duty of care, contracts, liability, insurance, and conflict-of-interest rules
Contrast the roles of the planner, architect, engineer, and contractor in project delivery and identify where professional boundaries overlap

A comparison matrix of four architectural styles and a one-page professional-roles chart with boundary notes

Week 6

Outline the registration pathway for town planners (education, supervised experience, examination, continuing professional development) as a timeline
Summarize the code of ethics and professional conduct into 10 testable rules with a short scenario illustrating each
Explain contract types (lump sum, time and materials, cost plus, design-build) and fee structures, and match each to a suitable project scale

A registration-and-ethics one-pager plus a 10-scenario ethics quiz scored at 80% or better

Week 7

Describe the validation and accreditation process for planning programs, including criteria, self-study, site visit, and review cycle
Map the relationship between accreditation standards and professional registration requirements in a two-column table
Summarize quality assurance and continuing education mechanisms (audit, CPD logging, sanctions) and their consequences for practitioners

A two-column accreditation-to-registration mapping table covering at least 12 standards

Week 8

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and record domain-level scores
Review every missed item, tag it to a domain, and write a corrected explanation for each
Revisit the weakest domain using the week 1–7 deliverables and produce a final one-page summary sheet

Two scored mock exams with a domain-level error log and a final one-page summary sheet

Week 2: Score 80% or higher on a self-made 25-question quiz covering the planning framework, zoning instruments, and land-use calculations

Week 4: Explain building systems and code constraints aloud for 10 minutes without notes, and achieve 80% on the week 4 self-test

Week 6: Complete the ethics scenario quiz at 80% or better and correctly sequence the full registration pathway from memory

Week 8: Achieve 70% or higher on both timed mock exams, with no domain below 60%