A new global policy programme will help decision-makers grappling with the challenge of designing and delivering infrastructure for the long-term benefits of communities around the world.
The Enabling Better Infrastructure programme offers insights to governments and decision-makers around the world on how to best plan and deliver infrastructure which achieves the most effective social and economic outcomes.
A report, produced by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) as part of the programme, is a primer for those interested in enabling better infrastructure around the world.
The report identifies 12 key principles for decision-makers to use as a straight-forward guide to the best ways to plan, implement and deliver major infrastructure. They include:
- Identifying strategic objectives
- Creating a national infrastructure strategy
- Conducting cost-benefit analyses
- and identifying private sector involvement
Along with a new resource hub on ICE’s website, it brings together case studies, advice and expert insight into how governments can undertake the process of prioritising and planning infrastructure.
This report and the developing resource hub will become a useful ‘one-stop shop’ resource for decision-makers across the world to use.
Sir Michael Bear, ICE Hon. Fellow and Enabling Better Infrastructure Steering Group Chair, said:
“Strategically planned infrastructure can help countries achieve the best social and economic outcomes for their citizens. The Enabling Better Infrastructure programme collates global case studies and learnings, across all areas of the infrastructure lifecycle, to help governments and decision-makers to achieve this.
“Civil engineers play an important role in helping deliver infrastructure that meets future needs and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, so it’s important that we harness our collective experience and work together to make a real difference.”
Nick Baveystock, ICE Director General, said:
“Infrastructure is critical to society’s economic, social and personal wellbeing. Delivering infrastructure effectively, efficiently, and with a focus on whole-life value to the end user is essential.
“Decision-makers across the world face many of the same challenges. This report draws out some common principles to support them, wherever they are in the world, in balancing and making choices as they plan their national infrastructure systems.”
Having recognised that a large amount of guidance exists globally on how best to plan and deliver infrastructure, the Institution led a programme of work to create a hub that brings this all together. The project was led by a steering group, comprised of individuals from organisations including OECD, UNOPS, KPMG and the Environmental Change Institute.
The Enabling Better Infrastructure programme is being launched at events across the world today (December 4). Government decision-makers and industry leaders, who are attending events in the UK, Singapore, Melbourne and Pretoria, will be introduced to the report and online hub. Events are also being held in Dubai and New York (on December 10 and 11 respectively).
The UK launch will take place at the Institution’s London headquarters at One Great George Street
