Financing the development and evolution of infrastructure from Coursera

In this course, we will explore how debt and equity can be used to finance infrastructure investments and how investors approach these investments. We will discover the crucial importance of infrastructure in modern economies and the evolution of financing methods in the context of growing global needs.

The course is divided into 5 modules lasting approximately 7 hours, spread over 5 weeks. We will cover the importance of infrastructure, public and private sources of financing, the evolution of infrastructure and project financing. We will also look at the increasing focus on sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria.

The course includes video lectures, readings and talks by expert guests. It is presented in an accessible and simplified format, suitable for a general audience, including high schools and new entrants to university. Available in Italian and English with subtitles, it is accompanied by materials in both languages.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 - The importance of infrastructure and its definition

The first module introduces the topic of the importance of infrastructure in modern economies. First, an attempt is made to point out that in the next 20 years, the need for infrastructure at a global level and at the level of industrially developed countries (USA and Europe) will be particularly significant and will require the mobilisation of significant financial resources. Next, an attempt is made to clarify the meaning attributable to the term 'infrastructure'. In the jargon used by private investors, in fact, several classifications are possible, some based on a traditional/sectoral approach (economic infrastructure vs. social infrastructure), others based on the different quantification of the underlying risk and return (core, core+ and value added). Finally, the focus is on ESG impacts, with particular reference to the E and S elements that infrastructures pose in the face of a growing awareness of the need to make such investments sustainable over the long term.

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Presented in an accessible and simplified format, it serves as a strong introduction to infrastructure finance for learners with limited prior knowledge

Explores the increasing focus on sustainability and ESG criteria, which are becoming increasingly important considerations in infrastructure investments

Examines the plans of the US government (IRA), the EU (NextGen and Repower EU), and Italy (PNRR), which gives learners insight into current infrastructure initiatives

Discusses the evolution of infrastructure and project financing, which helps learners understand the changing landscape of this sector

Requires learners to understand the importance of infrastructure in modern economies, which is a foundational concept for further study in economics and finance

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Financing the development and evolution of infrastructure with these activities:

Review Basic Financial Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental financial concepts like debt, equity, and investment analysis to better grasp the course material.

Browse courses on Financial Concepts

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Review introductory finance textbooks or online resources.
Practice basic financial calculations.
Familiarize yourself with financial terminology.

Attend an Infrastructure Finance Conference

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Expand your network and learn from industry professionals by attending an infrastructure finance conference or webinar.

Browse courses on Finance

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Identify relevant infrastructure finance conferences or webinars.
Register for the event and prepare questions to ask speakers.
Attend the event and actively participate in discussions.
Network with other attendees and speakers.
Follow up with contacts made at the event.

Read 'The Infrastructure Finance Revolution'

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Gain a deeper understanding of innovative financing methods and risk mitigation strategies in infrastructure development.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Infrastructure Finance Revolution'.
Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and examples.
Reflect on how the book's content relates to the course modules.

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Read 'Principles of Project Finance'

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Deepen your understanding of project finance techniques, risk assessment, and financial modeling.

View Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure:... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Principles of Project Finance'.
Read the book, focusing on chapters related to risk assessment and financial modeling.
Apply the concepts learned to a hypothetical infrastructure project.

Write a blog post on ESG in Infrastructure

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Solidify your understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria in infrastructure investments by researching and writing a blog post.

Browse courses on ESG

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Research the latest trends and best practices in ESG for infrastructure.
Outline the key points you want to cover in your blog post.
Write a draft of your blog post.
Edit and revise your blog post for clarity and accuracy.
Publish your blog post on a platform like Medium or LinkedIn.

Analyze a Real-World Infrastructure Project

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Apply the course concepts by analyzing the financing structure of a real-world infrastructure project.

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Select an infrastructure project of interest.
Gather information on the project's financing structure, including debt and equity sources.
Analyze the project's risk profile and mitigation strategies.
Prepare a report summarizing your findings and insights.

Create a Presentation on Infrastructure Investment Trends

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Synthesize your knowledge by creating a presentation on current trends in infrastructure investment, including the role of private and public financing.

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Research current trends in infrastructure investment.
Develop a presentation outline.
Create visually appealing slides with key data and insights.
Practice your presentation delivery.

Career center

Learners who complete Financing the development and evolution of infrastructure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Finance Analyst

A Project Finance Analyst specializes in the financial structuring of large-scale projects, particularly infrastructure developments. This course is directly relevant as it delves into project financing, a critical aspect of this job. The course introduces the various contracts involved, describes the types of risks and mitigation strategies, all of which a project finance analyst must be familiar with. A Project Finance Analyst should be very familiar with how infrastructure is funded, and they must consider the impact of ESG criteria. The course material provides a thorough look into this, making it useful for an analyst seeking to grow in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Finance Analyst

Public Finance Officer

A Public Finance Officer manages the financial resources of government entities, including funding infrastructure projects. This course is directly relevant as it explores the public sources of financing for infrastructure. The course discusses the role of infrastructure in economic growth and job creation, which are vital topics for a Public Finance Officer. This role must understand privatization policies, and the course provides an overview of the relevant issues. The course also describes how public bodies, such as the US government and the EU, approach the funding of infrastructure. A Public Finance Officer will find the course material to be beneficial to their career.

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Infrastructure Analyst

An Infrastructure Analyst evaluates investments in infrastructure projects and assets, assessing their financial viability and potential risks. This role requires an understanding of how debt and equity are used to finance infrastructure, as covered in this course. The course also introduces the various sources of infrastructure funding, both public and private, which an analyst must know. The course's discussion of project financing, a key technique for greenfield infrastructure, is also relevant to this role. Further, the course's exploration of ESG criteria provides context for evaluating the sustainability of investments. A deep understanding of infrastructure finance is a major part of being an Infrastructure Analyst, and this course introduces the concepts necessary to succeed in the role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infrastructure Analyst

Investment Analyst

An Investment Analyst researches and analyzes investment opportunities, including those in the infrastructure sector. This role benefits from the course’s focus on how investors approach infrastructure investments, using both debt and equity. The course provides a detailed overview of the different categories of investors, from the public to the private. An Investment Analyst must also know the evolution of infrastructure investing, and the course provides an overview of new areas such as agritech and the space economy. The course’s treatment of ESG criteria is highly useful for analysts seeking sustainable opportunities. This course helps build knowledge that is central to an Investment Analyst's success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst evaluates financial data and provides recommendations, sometimes in the context of infrastructure investment. This course helps establish knowledge in how infrastructure projects are financed, be it through debt, equity, or other methods. Understanding how investors approach these investments is also a key component of the course, and is relevant to this role. The course's exploration of public and private financing offers an introduction to this field, along with the discussion of project financing. An understanding of ESG criteria is also useful. This course can add domain specific knowledge that is helpful for a Financial Analyst to succeed.

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Economic Development Specialist

An Economic Development Specialist works to improve the economic well-being of a community, often through infrastructure projects. This course explores the importance of infrastructure for economic growth and job creation, key components of this role. The course covers public funding of infrastructure, which is often central to economic development. It also explains how privatization policies can impact infrastructure investments, which a Economic Development Specialist should know. The course's overview of government plans in the US, EU and Italy gives context to this role. An understanding of the concepts taught in this course may positively impact the work of an Economic Development Specialist.

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Infrastructure Consultant

An Infrastructure Consultant advises clients on various aspects of infrastructure projects, including financing. This course provides a useful background for an Infrastructure Consultant by exploring sources of funding, both public and private. Further, this role requires knowledge of project financing, which is covered in detail in the course. The course's discussion on the evolution of infrastructure and new segments, such as agritech and the space economy, also adds insight for a consultant. An Infrastructure Consultant needs to be aware of ESG criteria and how it impacts investments, which the course also touches upon. This course may improve understanding of the different approaches to infrastructure investment.

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Real Estate Development Manager

A Real Estate Development Manager oversees the development of real estate projects, often including infrastructure components. This course is relevant because it examines how infrastructure investments are financed, using both debt and equity. A Real Estate Development Manager must understand the various sources of infrastructure funding, whether public or private, and this is covered as well. The course's exploration of project financing, often used in large scale development projects, is of great use to anyone in this role. The course's discussion of ESG considerations is also useful as these factors influence development planning. A Real Estate Development Manager may benefit from the knowledge conveyed in this course.

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Sustainability Analyst

A Sustainability Analyst assesses the environmental and social impact of projects, including infrastructure. This course is relevant for a Sustainability Analyst, particularly because of its coverage of ESG criteria in infrastructure investments. The course specifically mentions the importance of the 'E' and 'S' elements of ESG. It also discusses how considerations of long-term sustainability should impact infrastructure planning. A Sustainability Analyst will also find the course material useful for understanding how sustainability is incorporated into financial decisions. The course's discussion of the evolution of the infrastructure sector, especially regarding decarbonization, provides helpful context. This course may be helpful for a Sustainability Analyst.

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Infrastructure Manager

An Infrastructure Manager is responsible for the planning and operations of infrastructure, often working within government or large organizations. The course provides a great overview of various financing methods of infrastructure. This manager would also benefit from the course's insights into public and private sources of funding. The course material emphasizes the importance of infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, further helping an Infrastructure Manager. The course touches on the evolution of infrastructure, as well as the consideration ESG issues, a factor which today is part of any infrastructure manager's role. The course may help improve the work of an Infrastructure Manager.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes policy issues including infrastructure development. This course provides insight into infrastructure financing, including the different sources of funding, both public and private. The course touches on the evolution of infrastructure, which gives important context to the Policy Analyst. The course material on government plans for infrastructure spending is also relevant to a Policy Analyst. Policy Analysts often work on sustainability and climate issues, making the ESG material highly relevant. A Policy Analyst may find this course helpful as they research infrastructure-related policies.

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Risk Manager

A Risk Manager identifies and mitigates risks across an organization, including financial risks related to infrastructure projects. This course is helpful as it describes the various kinds of risks inherent in infrastructure projects, both during construction and operational phases. It also introduces strategies for managing and mitigating these risks which is vital to this role. The course also goes into project financing, which is often used in infrastructure and requires an understanding of the particular risks involved. It also introduces the various types of investors and their motivations. A Risk Manager may find the course material to be helpful to their role.

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Urban Planner

An Urban Planner develops plans for the growth and development of urban areas, which often includes the planning of infrastructure projects. This course provides a look into the financing of infrastructure projects and how public entities approach these investments. The course’s discussion on the evolving nature of infrastructure is also relevant to an urban planner. The course also discusses ESG criteria as related to infrastructure development, which can also be helpful. An Urban Planner may benefit from a general understanding of the financing of infrastructure projects as taught in this course.

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Government Relations Officer

A Government Relations Officer is responsible for maintaining relationships with government entities, and this role might include advocacy for infrastructure projects. The course’s look at public sources of funding for infrastructure is relevant to this role. The course also mentions specific government plans in the US, EU, and Italy, which may be helpful for a Government Relations Officer. The course discusses privatization policies, and how these may affect infrastructure investments. A Government Relations Officer may benefit from this introduction to infrastructure finance.

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Nonprofit Development Officer

A Nonprofit Development Officer works to secure funding for nonprofit organizations, which may include infrastructure projects. This course provides an overview of project financing, which may be a method of funding for a nonprofit organization. The course's material on sources of funding both public and private could be applicable. The course's discussion of ESG principles may be relevant, as this is often a consideration of nonprofits. A Nonprofit Development Officer may find the course to be useful to their knowledge of finance.

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Financing the development and evolution of infrastructure

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