Microeconomics of Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Planning

Planning critical infrastructure in developing regions requires more than engineering; it demands a deep understanding of resource allocation and human behavior. This course introduces you to the essential microeconomic foundations necessary to make impactful, sustainable decisions for water and sanitation systems. You will learn how to evaluate demand, assess costs, and design pricing structures that balance utility viability with public accessibility. Through clear written explanations and practical scenarios, you will gain the analytical skills to address real-world resource scarcity in urban and rural planning contexts. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational microeconomic principles, including supply, demand, and market equilibrium. - Analyze consumer willingness to pay for essential services like clean water and sanitation. - Evaluate cost structures, capital investments, and pricing mechanisms for public utilities. - Apply economic concepts to address market failures, externalities, and equity concerns. - Incorporate modern sustainability frameworks and climate resilience into infrastructure resource planning. The course starts with essential economic terminology and basic concepts of scarcity and choice. You will then progress through demand estimation, utility pricing models, and practical policy applications for developing nations. This course is designed for beginners in urban planning, public policy, and international development who want to build a solid foundation in economic analysis without any prior economics training. Start reading today to build the economic skills needed to plan effective, equitable infrastructure solutions.