Geographical decisions

Compare evidence, consider who is affected and explain a defensible choice.

A sea wall, beach, settlement, farmland and saltmarsh share a coastline.
Imagined coastal setting

These places and proposals are fictional. Several decisions may be justified; the evidence and trade-offs matter.

Protecting a floodplain town

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional council has £8 million for flood management. Estimates use the same 30-year planning period. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Managing an eroding coast

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional village has a £6 million capital budget. The figures are estimates for 20 years; benefits are not guaranteed. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Securing a dry-season water supply

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional region can spend £12 million. Estimates describe annual additional water availability, in million cubic metres. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Reducing town-centre car use

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional town has £10 million. Forecasts estimate daily car journeys removed after two years. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Choosing a forest management plan

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional district considers three independently costed plans with a £5 million budget. Employment estimates are full-time equivalent jobs. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Choosing a local electricity project

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional authority has £20 million. Estimated annual output is in gigawatt-hours, not peak power. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Developing new housing

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional council has £15 million for infrastructure. Each option produces a different number of homes; housing construction costs are outside this table. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Reducing urban heat exposure

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional city has £4 million. Each estimate counts vulnerable residents with improved access to a cooler space during daytime heat. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Managing visitors in an upland valley

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional park has £3 million. Forecasts estimate reduction in car arrivals per busy day; displacement to other valleys is not included. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.

Improving a regional food system

Fictional decision exercise. A fictional authority has £7 million. Estimates are annual additional tonnes reaching local markets; avoid comparing these figures with nutritional quality. The options are alternatives; do not add their benefits together.