THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture
City and Regional Planning
Autumn 2006
C&RP 834 – DECISION ANALYSIS IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
SYLLABUS
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Call Number:
Credit Hours:
Time:
Instructors:
04965-9
3
Tuesday, 6:30-8:18 pm
Jean-Michel Guldmann
258 Knowlton Hall
Tel.: 292-2257
Email: Guldmann.1@osu.edu
Sumei Zhang
465 Knowlton Hall
Email: Zhang.390@osu.edu
Office hours: Tuesday, 3:30 – 5:30pm
Website: http://facweb.knowlton.ohio-state.edu/JGuldmann/crpinfo/teaching/CRP834/
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Course Description
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to decision-making techniques involving
uncertainty, conflict, and a multiplicity of objectives. This class covers (1) principles and basic
concepts in decision analysis, and (2) examples of applications, including land-use planning,
location choice, water resources, environmental pollution, and energy policy issues.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this, students should be able to understand and apply the fundamentals of
decision analysis to planning related problems. Good decision analysis requires clear thinking.
Students will learn how to think analytically about issues in decision-making problems, and how
to conceptualize the problem systematically in a mathematical form. The class will cover the
following topics.
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Decision Analysis: Basic Techniques and Applications
Game Theory: Basic Techniques and Applications
Discrete Multicriteria Evaluation: Basic Techniques and Applications
Multiobjective Programming: Basic Techniques and Applications
Readings
There is no required textbook. However, reading materials are to supplement the lectures, and
illustrate the applications of decision analysis in planning problems. Reading assignments are
arranged for each topic, and classified as either required or suggested. Required readings may be
handed out by the instructor in class, or are available through the class website, or reserved in the
Architecture library. Further readings, if any, will be announced in class or by e-mail, or
provided by the instructor. See the list of readings at the end of the syllabus.
The following books are suggested as general references on technical aspects of decision
analysis. eBooks are accessible from the Reader through the netlibrary. To an ebook, go directly
to the netlibrary (http://www.netlibrary.com) or through the OSU library (http://library.osu.edu).
John S. Hammond, Ralph L. Keeney, and Howard Raiffa. Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to
Making Better Decisions, Boston, MA, Harvard Business School Press, 1999 (eBook)
Raiffa, H. Decision Analysis: Introductory Lectures on Choices Under Uncertainty, Mass.,
Addison-Wesley, 1968 (HD69.D4 R2).
John W. Pratt, Howard Raiffa, and Robert Schlaifer. Introduction to Statistical Decision Theory,
Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1995 (eBook)
Martin J. Osborne and Ariel Rubinstein. A Course in Game Theory, Cambridge, Mass. MIT
Press, 1994 (ebook).
Drew Fudenberg and Jean Tirole. Game Theory, Cambridge, Mass. MIT Press, 1994 (ebook).
Freerk A. Lootsma. Multi-criteria Decision Analysis Via Ratio and Difference Judgement
(Applied Optimization ; V. 29), Boston Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1999 (eBook).
Ralph L. Keeney and Howard Raiffa. Decisions with multiple objectives: preferences and value
tradeoffs, New York : Wiley, c1976 (T57.95 .K43)
Evaluation/Grading Policy
Grades for this class will be based on the following:
 Final Exam (50 %)
 Homework (50%)
Course Requirements:
Students are expected to attend class regularly and to participate in class discussions.
Reading Assignments
Students are expected to familiarize themselves with class readings before each class. Required
readings must be read, as they will be discussed in class.
Homework
Homeworks will provide student an opportunity to apply the techniques to small problems.
Exams
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There is a final exam on December 5, 2006, during class meeting time (Tuesday during final
week).
Make-up and Late Assignment Policies
Missed or late assignment as well as missed exams will be given a grade of zero. No make-up
will be given, except under extraordinary circumstances.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct of any kind will not be tolerated or permitted. All students will be held
responsible for following and abiding by the University’s policy on academic misconduct. The
Ohio State University Code of Student Conduct handbook (Chapter 3335-23-04) provides a
detailed description of the University’s policy on academic misconduct. Copies may be obtained
on the web at http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/resource_csc.asp
Disability Statement
Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact the instructor privately to discuss his or her specific needs. Please contact the
Office for Disability Services at 614.292.3307 in 150 Pomerene Hall to coordinate reasonable
accommodations in case of documented disabilities.
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