Economic tools

Economic tools (or tools of economic analysis) facilitate the preparation of a robust urban plan in the urban planning process encouraging economic development in a way that is conducive to and compatible with sustainability objectives. Put differently, they influence the way planned urban objects and urban environments are going to be shaped. Furthermore, economic tools are applied to measure the economic impact of existing urban objects, but also security threats (and indirect security measures). In essence, they are urban planning tools (though not solely used by urban planners).

Description

Knowledge about some frequently used economic tools and techniques can help the urban planner to systematically survey all the relevant (socio-economic) impact caused by an urban development and security threats. This insight will help the responsible urban planners to make the best choices from an socio-economic point of view.

Economic assessment step by step

Economic tools can assist urban planners (or other decision makers) determining the pros and cons of different types of security measures (project alternatives). The (click able) flow chart below illustrates the 4 main steps in the decision process of this economic assessment:

Flow chart economic assessment

Decisio, 2012

• Step 1: In preparation of the use of economic models it is very important to assess the problem in terms of definition (type of security issues), but also in terms of urgency of a solution. Vitruv's risk assessment tool (SecuRbAn) is an example of a tool that facilitates urban planners to identify possible security issues. Nevertheless, one should always involve experts and political decision makers before one starts the implementation of security measures for reasons explained below.
• Step 2: If one decides to economically assess a certain threat the starting point of any analysis is the definition of the 'null hypothesis'. This null hypothesis describes "the most likely" scenario development in case a project will not be executed. Subsequently, one identifies the project alternatives (in this case types of useful security measures) and assesses the involved costs and effects in terms of risk reduction.
• Step 3: Once the alternatives are identified, it is time to identify all (or as much as possible) the effects in terms of costs and benefits. In general, it is quite difficult to quantify the economic impact of urban development, urban objects, crime, security measures, and so on. This is especially true for the benefits, since they are in most of the cases 'non-economic'. Economic models like economic impact studies or social cost-benefit analysis (see figure below) are specifically developed by economists to support decision makers in this process. The defined economic impacts can be quantified and expressed in monetary terms, or in other economic output terms such as percentage of GDP, % of public income/expenditures, etc.
• Step 4: Evaluation of the results of the economic assessment is as crucial as the problem definition of step 1. First of all, one should take a good look at the effects that were not identified or quantified for example because they are too complex to estimate. Secondly, it is important to involve the stakeholders that will be influenced by the security measures, for example the ones who pay the bills (think of shop owners, residents, public authorities). Thirdly, the cost-effectiveness should be assessed and expressed in terms that are understandable for the urban planner. Finally, while economic analysis is common in many contexts, the results of these studies depend largely on the used methodologies, including the underlying (subjective) assumptions and measured effects.. Nevertheless, it remains relevant for urban planners (especially on a more strategic level) to gain insight into the economic dimension of urban planning and security threats/measures. In the words of criminologists Ken Pease and Martin Gill,"[economic] Cost benefit analysis is always helpful, sometimes necessary but seldom sufficient as a basis for decision-making". However, there are also many other dimensions to be involved in the decision maker that are also addressed in Securipedia.

Users of economic tools

Economic tools can be used by economists (specialists) but also by specialised urban planners in socio-economic appraisal. These economic models, however, do not come without fundamental and methodological limits that have to be considered.

Types of economic tools

Urban planning processes employ a host of economic tools/models:

• Social cost-benefit analysis
• Input-output analysis
• Economic impact study
• Business case
• Other economic tools

See also the clickable map below:

Related subjects

• Limits of economic analysis

And:

• Economic main page
• Economic impact
  • Economic impact of urban planning
  • Economic impact of security threats
  • Economic impact of security measures
  • Economics of criminal and terrorist behaviour
• Economic output