Challenges, drivers, and benefits to integrated infrastructure management of water, wastewater, stormwater and transportation systems

Abstract

Infrastructure systems are known to be interdependent systems; however, infrastructure systems are typically managed individually by agencies in charge of these systems. The existing literature has proposed the concept of an integrated infrastructure management approach, yet this literature has focused on managing infrastructure systems in short-term contexts (e.g., response to natural and human-made disasters). As such, limited understanding exists about implementing an integrated infrastructure management approach in the long-term (i.e., maintenance and rehabilitation). This study aims to explore the challenges, drivers, and benefits of implementing an integrated urban infrastructure management approach by agencies managing urban water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportation infrastructure systems in the long-term. This study qualitatively analyzed 15 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the management of infrastructure systems in Chile. It was found that the implementation of an integrated infrastructure management approach is challenged and driven by organizational instead of technical aspects. It was found that the local context where agencies operate represents a challenge for the successful implementation, the willingness to collaborate of infrastructure agencies’ workers represents a driver to implementation, and that benefits encompass agencies and users. Infrastructure agencies can use our findings to account for contextual conditions to successfully implement an integrated infrastructure management approach.