Methods of Policy Analysis: Beyond Market Economics in Urban Planning

Traditional economic models often fail to capture the true value of public goods, community spaces, and social programs. To design effective cities and public initiatives, analysts must look beyond simple market transactions. This text-based course equips you with the fundamental analytical tools needed to evaluate complex public policies and urban planning decisions. You will transition from understanding basic policy concepts to applying modern evaluation frameworks to real-world social challenges. In this course, you will learn to: 1. Understand the foundational concepts of public policy, market failures, and collective action. 2. Analyze non-market values using qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods. 3. Evaluate urban planning initiatives through the lens of social equity and environmental sustainability. 4. Apply modern evidence-based policy frameworks to assess community programs. 5. Structure policy briefs and recommendations using clear, structured analytical writing. 6. Integrate modern data-driven insights into traditional policy analysis workflows. You will start by exploring core definitions and the history of public intervention before moving into practical methodologies for non-market valuation. Finally, you will read through case studies and complete written exercises that simulate real-world policy design and evaluation. This course is designed for aspiring policy analysts, urban planners, community advocates, and beginners with no prior background in economics or public administration. Start reading today to build the analytical skills needed to shape impactful public policy.