Planning decisions have financial consequences for both public agencies and private developers. This course explores the economic and fiscal factors that influence land use planning and development, providing learners with the knowledge to evaluate the financial impacts of planning decisions and development proposals.

You'll examine how local governments generate revenue, conduct fiscal impact analyses and finance public infrastructure through debt and other funding mechanisms. The course also explores how planning decisions affect project feasibility from a developer's perspective and how planners can balance public goals with private-sector realities.

By the end of the course, you'll have a practical understanding of the financial aspects of planning and be better equipped to evaluate the fiscal implications of planning and development decisions.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain how planning decisions influence the financial feasibility of development projects
• Interpret fiscal impact analyses and apply their findings to planning decisions
• Describe major sources of local government revenue and financing
• Evaluate the use of public debt and alternative financing strategies for public projects
• Analyze planning proposals from both public agency and developer perspectives
• Assess the fiscal impacts of land use and development decisions
• Balance public-sector objectives with private-sector financial considerations in the planning process

Skills You Will Gain

• Fiscal impact analysis
• Local government finance
• Development feasibility analysis
• Public finance and infrastructure funding
• Financial analysis for planning
• Public-private development evaluation
• Economic decision-making

Approximately 40 hours of study and full attendance at all course meetings are required.

Course Format and Pacing
This online course includes four (4) weekly live, instructor-led Zoom sessions. Attendance in all sessions is required. Students will access the course through Canvas, UC Davis CPE’s learning management system. Students can expect to spend a total of approximately 40 hours on this course. Active engagement and participation are essential to fully benefit from the course and achieve the best learning outcomes.