Improving the assessment of integrated infrastructure plans in Dutch planning: improving the use of the cost benefit analysis

My PhD-research focuses on the process bottlenecks and possible improvements of assessing integrated spatial infrastructure plans in a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in Dutch planning. This research started in 2009 and will be finished in 2013.
The CBA is an ex-ante evaluation tool which plays an important role in Dutch and European infrastructure planning. In the Netherlands, it is even obligatory for national funding. Although it is recognized that robust economic appraisal is necessary and may be important to support decision making, many problems occur when performing the CBA.
Process related bottlenecks are forexample the lack of trust and communication between the two main groups of participants: the plan owners and evaluators. The plan owners, for example, feel that the CBA is too rigid and not equipped to value ambitious visions that focus on improving the quality of life or sustainability aspects. On the other hand, the evaluators seem to perceive a strategic use of the evaluation tool to get closer to financing the project. Nevertheless, all participants experienced the use of the CBA as a final assessment and see this as a loss, because they prefer its use to facilitate a process of gradual learning and improving the analysis as well as the plan. Such tensions are not only experienced in the Netherlands, but are recognized internationally in infrastructure planning.
In my research first the process bottlenecks are explored closely. Secondly, possible theoretical improvements are analyzed and empirically tested. 
A Dutch publication on findings of the first research phase can be downloaded via: http://www.nicis.nl/Wat_doen_wij/Verspreiding/Docbank/Economie_Innovatie/Ruimtelijke_ordening/Steden_algemeen/Onderzoek_legt_knelpunten_in_MKBA_proces_bloot
More information on the research and the research program is published on the blog.

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