| Part I: Introduction to CEE Projects |
| L1 |
Class Overview: CEE Projects and Sustainable Development |
Problem set 1 out |
| R1 |
Recitation: Introduction to Spreadsheets |
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| L2 |
Mobility in the 19th Century: Roads, Canals, and Railroads |
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| L3 |
Panama Canal Case Study |
Problem set 1 due
Problem set 2 out |
| R2 |
Recitation: Panama Wrap-Up |
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| Part II: Time and Money |
| L4 |
Cost Concepts and Design Economics |
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| L5 |
Cost Concepts and Design Economics (cont.) |
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| R3 |
Recitation |
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| L6 |
Time and Money: The Principle of Equivalence |
Problem set 2 due
Problem set 3 out |
| L7 |
Time and Money: Nominal and Effective Interest Rates and Continuous Compounding |
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| R4 |
Recitation: Intro to Time-Value of Money |
Quiz 1 |
| L8 |
Choosing a Discount Rate |
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| L9 |
Equivalent Methods for Comparing Benefits and Costs
(Basic Methods - PW, FW, AW, IRR, ERR) |
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| R5 |
Recitation: Quiz Review
Term Project Preparation
Follow-Up Details |
Problem set 3 due |
| L10 |
Quiz (basic cost concepts; breakeven analysis; equivalence; choice of discount rates; motivation for projects) |
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| Part III: Evaluating Alternatives |
| L11 |
Comparing Alternatives |
Problem set 4 out |
| R6 |
Multiple Perspectives - Public vs. Private Projects |
Paper topic due |
| L12 |
Multiple Decision Criteria |
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| L13 |
Rules of the Game: How Taxes and Regulations Influence Project Evaluation |
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| R7 |
Recitation - Discuss Project Topics
Quiz 2 |
Problem set 4 due
Problem set 5 out
Quiz 2 |
| Part IV: Assessing Sustainability |
| L14 |
CEE Projects and Public Needs: Accessibility
How effectively will the proposed projects or program address their objectives? Will there be enough money to pay the bills? |
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| L15 |
CEE Projects and Public Needs: Water and Transportation Projects in Tianjin, China (Jodie Misiak) |
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| R8 |
Recitation |
Problem set 5 due
Problem set 6 out |
| L16 |
Environmental Impact Assessment of CEE Projects (Susan Murcott)
How important are the externalities associated with proposed projects or programs? Can the environment and society withstand the changes? |
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| L17 |
Environmental Impact Assessment |
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| R9 |
Recitation: Environmental Impact Assessment |
Problem set 6 due
Problem set 7 out |
| L18 |
Social Impact Assessment (Susan Murcott) |
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| L19 |
Dealing with Uncertainty - Sensitivity Analysis, Scenarios, Partnerships
How can we modify a project or a program to make it more sustainable, i.e. more effective and less disruptive to the environment and to society? |
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| R10 |
Recitation |
Problem set 7 due |
| L20 |
Improving Projects and Programs: Reducing risks, reducing costs, more equitable sharing of benefits, reducing negative social or environmental impacts, improving quality |
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| R11 |
Quiz (Ranking mutually independent alternatives; using depreciation and taxes to promote public policy; cost effectiveness; assessing sustainability issues) |
Quiz 3 |
| Part V: CEE Project Reports |
| L21 |
How to critique a project: Planning your presentation, structuring a project report, and writing an executive summary |
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| L22 |
The Interstate Highway System: Vision, Design, and Impacts (20-minute presentation followed by class discussion of sustainability issues related to highways) |
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| R12 |
Recitation: Time available for coordination of project presentations |
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| L23 |
Recitation: Time available for coordination of project presentations (cont.) |
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| L24 |
Project Presentations |
Presentation due |
| R13 |
Project Presentations (cont.) |
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| L25 |
Project Presentations (cont.) |
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| L26 |
Project Presentations (cont.) |
Project Report due |