InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Assessments > University Park: Blended > Assessing costs and benefits
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 8, 2016

Assessing costs and benefits

To prioritize implementation of these four strategies (three structural and one non-structural), complete a preliminary analysis of their cost effectiveness from your perspective as a city government employee. To begin, copy the possible costs and benefits for the four strategies from the tables of strategies in the second section of this module ("What strategies can stakeholders' use to prepare?") into the table on your worksheet.

Name of Structural strategyPossible CostsPossible Benefits
1)
2)
3)
Name of Non-Structural strategyPossible CostsPossible Benefits
1)

Next, give the costs and benefits for each strategy a score from 1 to 10. For costs, a score of 1 is very cheap, and a score of 10 is very expensive. For benefits, a score of 1 means not at all beneficial, and a score of 10 means very beneficial. Then divide the benefit score for each strategy by its cost score to calculate the benefit/cost ratio.

Name of Structural strategyCosts score (1-10)Benefits score (1-10)Benefits/costs ratio
1)
2)
3)
Name of Non-Structural strategyCosts score (1-10)Benefits score (1-10)Benefits/costs ratio
1)

Which strategy did you give the highest costs score? Why did you think this strategy would cost more than the others? If two strategies are tied, choose one to discuss. Answer in 1-2 sentences.

Which strategy did you give the highest benefits score? Why did you think this strategy would be more beneficial than the others? If two strategies are tied, choose one to discuss. Answer in 1-2 sentences.

Which strategy is most cost effective (that is, has the highest benefit/cost ratio)? If two strategies are tied, name the strategy with the highest benefits score. In 1-2 sentences, explain why you think this strategy is more cost effective than the other three strategies.

Add your answers to your worksheet.

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »