Infrastructure Project Evaluation: Case Studies and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Large-scale infrastructure projects require more than just technical engineering; they demand rigorous economic, environmental, and social evaluation to succeed. This course teaches you how to assess complex projects systematically, ensuring they meet both financial constraints and societal needs. Through this text-based course, you will transition from a purely technical mindset to a strategic decision-making perspective. You will master the fundamentals of project evaluation, learning how to analyze cash flows, compare long-term economic costs, and assess the broader impact of infrastructure developments. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational principles of multi-dimensional project evaluation for public and private infrastructure. - Analyze cash flows and apply economic equivalence relationships over the entire lifecycle of a project. - Evaluate cost-benefit ratios, net present value, and internal rate of return for decision-making. - Assess modern sustainability, climate resilience, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics in project planning. - Review real-world case studies across transportation, water resources, and energy systems to understand practical failure and success factors. - Apply risk assessment and sensitivity analysis techniques to manage uncertainty in long-term developments. The course begins with core definitions and the fundamental framework of project evaluation before guiding you through mathematical economic models and multi-criteria decision analyses. You will read structured explanations and work through written exercises designed to simulate real-world planning scenarios. This course is designed for beginner engineers, urban planners, project managers, and students seeking a foundational understanding of project finance and evaluation. No prior background in economics or advanced finance is required. Start building the analytical skills needed to guide major infrastructure decisions today.