There are two main objectives of this course. The first is to teach students how to conduct three types of analyses: (1) a financial appraisal, (2) a social cost‐benefit analysis, and (3) a multi‐criteria project appraisal. Students will learn the strengths and weaknesses of these three approaches, and their underlying assumptions. In the process, students will develop an in‐depth understanding of four dimensions of project/policy analyses: criteria for evaluation, alternatives (interventions), groups of affected parties, and the time profile of project/policy consequences. The second course objective is to put students in the role of consumer of policy analyses, especially cost‐benefit analyses, so they can think carefully about how they would like others to assemble evidence for planning or policy choices (e.g., an infrastructure investment). Students will consider the type of analyses and displays of information that they would want if they were a decision maker (manager). Students will learn how to assess the quality of financial, cost‐benefit, and multi‐criteria analyses prepared by others. Prerequisite: PLAN 710
Cross listed: ENVR 785