Development of Next-Generation U.S. Infrastructure Systems

Abstract

Although most of the problems of aging infrastructure systems are well understood in technical terms, the planning and organizational framework for addressing them is fractured among many well-insulated institutions and political jurisdictions with little inclination and few incentives to collaborate or coordinate services. This paper proposes that the government needs to begin its work addressing infrastructure management with a whole perspective, a clean slate of assumptions about next best steps, a diverse and inclusive set of participants, and the readiness to embrace disruptive ideas and confront tough tradeoffs in order to protect the long-term integrity of public services. A dedicated infrastructure campaign should successfully communicate a broad and compelling vision, sound investment principles and strategies, and clear evidence of shared commitment by all levels of government, the private sector and the general public. The concept of sustainability could serve as an effective organizing principle to guide large-scale infrastructure system design and development decisions.