Project Evaluation and Infrastructure Planning: The Panama Canal Case Study

Large-scale infrastructure projects require rigorous planning, financial evaluation, and environmental foresight to succeed. This course introduces you to the core principles of project evaluation in civil and environmental engineering, using the historic and modern expansion of the Panama Canal as a primary case study. You will explore how engineers and planners balance economic feasibility with environmental impact and operational constraints. By reading through detailed technical analyses, you will learn to assess the viability of major public works. What you'll learn: Understand the fundamental principles of project evaluation and feasibility studies in civil engineering; Analyze the economic, logistical, and environmental factors of the Panama Canal expansion; Evaluate risk management strategies for complex, multi-year infrastructure developments; Apply modern sustainability frameworks to assess environmental impacts and water resource management; Compare cost-benefit analysis methodologies used in global transit and shipping corridors. The course begins with foundational concepts in engineering economics and infrastructure planning, establishing key definitions before moving into the technical and environmental challenges of canal operations and modern expansions. This text-based course is designed for beginning engineering students, project managers, and policy enthusiasts who want to understand how massive infrastructure projects are planned and evaluated. No prior engineering degree or advanced mathematics background is required. Start reading to master the essentials of infrastructure evaluation today.