Project Appraisal and Discounting: Investment Criteria for Development

Evaluating capital projects in developing economies requires a solid grasp of how to value future benefits against today's costs. Understanding alternative investment criteria is essential for making sustainable, high-impact decisions. This text-based course guides you through the core mathematical and economic principles used to appraise urban and regional development projects. What you will learn: Understand the fundamental principles of discounting and the time value of money; Calculate Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for complex project scenarios; Compare alternative investment criteria, including benefit-cost ratios and payback periods; Analyze social discount rates and how they apply to public sector projects in developing countries; Incorporate modern risk factors, such as climate resilience and environmental sustainability, into your appraisals. You will begin with foundational financial definitions before moving on to practical, step-by-step written explanations and comparative analyses of development scenarios. This course is designed for beginners in development finance, urban planning, and public policy, with no prior project appraisal experience required. Start reading today to master the essentials of project evaluation.