Assignment

Write 3-5 page essays in response to the required question and one of three options questions (i.e. at least 2 and, at most, 5 full pages for each). You are encouraged to consult and quote from the course readings as you answer the questions. There is not a limit on the amount of time you spend on this exam, but grading will be calibrated to the assumption that you have spent 3 to 3.5 hours on each question (reading, outlining, and writing). These time parameters assume that you read the material during the semester and are reviewing it for the purposes of the exam.

REQUIRED Question:

Public-Private Development As federal funding levels decreasing over time and an increasing use of block grants, public-private partnerships have become a more common urban governance paradigm. Municipal governments have arguably become more "entrepreneurial" in their approach to economic development and neighborhood revitalization. Drawing on course readings and any other readings you would like to bring in, discuss the implications of this trend for a) the competitiveness of central cities for business investment and affluent residents, b) the role of community-based organizations, and c) the dilemmas faced by city planning departments, housing authorities and/or redevelopment authorities as they attempt to steward the use of land and limited revenues for redevelopment purposes.

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS

Question 1: Local Utah Residential Market Dynamics With apartment vacancy rates at historic lows, how has the local real estate development community responded? Use data and evidence (there are a wealth of reports and articles online) to describe the current state of the market as well as the activity within the market. Then, discuss whether, in your view, the response of the real estate development community is sufficient-is it instead risky? Is it comprehensive (e.g., are there multiple product types at various price points)?

Question 2: Fiscal Impact Analysis Describe the components of a basic municipal-level fiscal impact analysis of a proposed development project, either a retail development project or a housing development project. If you choose retail, discuss the risks of the "fiscalization of land use" from a regional economic development perspective. If you choose housing, discuss how the fiscalization of land use influences the character and form of new development. What kinds of policy mitigates the risk of undesired and/or unanticipated land development practices?

Question 3: Planning in the Face of Challenges-Regulations and Tax Policy Imagine you are the head of a planning department for a mid-sized city (around 200,000 people) or a small town (around 20,000 people), and budget projections suggest that expenditures will exceed revenue in the near-term. First, clearly state whether you're working in a mid-sized city or small town. Second, what options do you have to reconcile this, and what recommendations would you make to elected officials? In proposing recommendations, clearly state the pros and cons of any approach. A successful set of recommendations will offer a brief comparison to other options to justify your proposal.