A Public-Private Partnership Primer

Sandy Apgar and Tony Canzoneri aim to clear up myths and misconceptions about PPPs (P3s), "the vehicle of choice to plan and execute many development projects that neither private nor public sector participants could perform on their own."

1 minute read

July 30, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Apgar and Canzoneri are bullish on public-private partnerships: "We acknowledge our bias to favor PPPs, which is built on three personal
beliefs: that business is the main engine for growth and wealth creation
in a market economy; that government has an essential role in ensuring
legitimacy, individual opportunity, and fairness; and that the
partnerships are potent vehicles for bringing the best of both sectors
-public and private-to bear on the most challenging problems."

In their "P3 Manifesto" Apgar and Canzoneri describe what Public-Private Partnerships are (and aren't) and when they are useful. The authors also describe the five features of successful PPPs:

  • Clear definitions and roles
  • Robust, mutually beneficial business relationships
  • Holistic, flexible planning and financing for the project's full life cycle
  • An integrated internal and external communication plan
  • A pervasive spirit of stewardship in partnership actions

Thursday, July 19, 2012 in Urban Land

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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