Infrastructure: A More Comprehensive Policy is Needed

Abstract

Infrastructure investment to create jobs is an attractive short‐run economic strategy, but a fragmented policy. A comprehensive infrastructure policy should be a tool for economic growth, research and development, and human‐resources development, and should also benefit educational institutions, urban areas, public health, and the environment. Industrial policy can provide concepts that focus on the contributions infrastructure can make to the economy, education and training, technology and development, and the retraining of workers in shrinking industries. This approach can help remake institutional links and bring interests together in different ways, the greatest needs of employment policy. Use of educational institutions and public works agencies can provide an effective management mechanism and help overcome past problems. Federal investments are required to initiate such a program. The goal of the present paper is to stimulate discussion about how civil engineers can contribute to this strategy. Dis...