Urban Planning Economics: Demand, IRR, and Project Evaluation

Every successful urban development project relies on sound economic principles. Understanding how market demand and financial feasibility shape our cities is essential for effective planning, public policy, and real estate development. This text-only course guides you through the core concepts of planning economics, helping you transition from understanding basic economic theory to analyzing real-world project viability using key financial and social metrics. What you'll learn: - Understand fundamental planning economics terminology and core microeconomic concepts. - Analyze demand curves to predict how population shifts and pricing affect public and private urban services. - Calculate the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to evaluate the financial feasibility of infrastructure projects. - Apply cost-benefit analysis techniques to assess the social, environmental, and economic impact of developments. - Evaluate modern public-private partnership models and sustainable urban development metrics. You will start with foundational definitions of supply, demand, and market equilibrium before moving into financial mathematics, discount rates, and capital budgeting. Through clear written explanations and practical scenario-based exercises, you will build a robust framework for economic decision-making. This course is designed for aspiring urban planners, public policy students, real estate enthusiasts, and anyone interested in how economics shapes cities. No prior background in advanced mathematics or finance is required. Start reading today to master the economic tools that build sustainable, thriving communities.