Infrastructure provision affects virtually every aspect of economic and social activity, from roads and railways to storm water drains and desalination plants.  Course participants will be exposed to a range of issues that will equip them to analyse and to provide effective and comprehensive policy advice on infrastructure projects.  Starting with institutional influences such as historical and political factors, the courses examines the key determinants of infrastructure needs, supply-side considerations such as investment and cost-benefit criteria, pricing for usage of facilities, regulatory arrangements, management of complex projects, Public Private Partnerships, and adaptation to climate change.

On completion of this unit, participants should be able to:

• demonstrate a sound understanding of institutional, pricing and regulatory aspects associated with the provision of infrastructure;
• evaluate the financial and economic aspects of an infrastructure project; and
• produce a focused assessment of an infrastructure proposal.

Assessment will consist of two components:

1. a short report on a hypothetical proposal to provide infrastructure, including presentation to the class in order to develop presentational skills (40 per cent); and

2. a 2000 word review of a case study (60 per cent).

Delivery Mode:

Lectures will cover various theoretical background issues to facilitate class discussion of case studies.  One or two site visits to infrastructure assets may be arranged, depending on the number of course participants.