FCC and the prestigious international publication *The Economist*, through its Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), have conducted a study analyzing trends, challenges, and solutions for urban infrastructure in the coming years. The report was prepared with the participation of 400 experts, policymakers, and urban policy executives from around the world.
Among the report’s conclusions, the need for greater investment in urban services and infrastructure over the next five years stands out if satisfactory service levels are to continue to be provided. Specifically, 75% of survey participants believe that current urban infrastructure is adequate, while 68% believe that investments will be necessary over the next five years.
When it comes to priorities, business executives advocate placing greater emphasis on transportation and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), while policymakers, for their part, express greater concern for less visible services such as water and waste management. However, both groups agree that the responsibility for making improvements lies with municipal leaders. This view is shared by 65% of the respondents, who emphasize the need for municipal leaders to focus on maintaining and improving existing infrastructure rather than undertaking new projects.
The report identifies some of the main problems, such as a lack of political will, a lack of preparedness among officials, and poor government effectiveness. That said, there should be more self-criticism, since the harshest opinions come from respondents identified as public officials.
As for the challenges faced by municipal leaders, the lack of funding stands out (which was also cited as one of the main problems), particularly in Western Europe. In Latin America, for example, 54% of respondents cite greater transparency in public spending as a key factor in improving services and infrastructure, placing them 10% above the global average.
According to Juan Béjar, vice president and CEO of FCC, «one of the biggest obstacles cities face today is finding practical and economically viable solutions.» Béjar adds that «municipal leaders and service providers must meet the expectations and needs of citizens. This study highlights that challenge.».
Public-Private Partnership
The relationship and collaboration between the public and private sectors are another notable finding of the report. 82% of respondents believe that governments should work more closely with the private sector to improve urban infrastructure and services.
They view this collaboration as crucial to offering more innovative and cost-effective solutions for both cities and their residents—a process in which citizens must also play a leading role. The report also identifies water consumption, energy use, and transportation as the key areas in need of change. For all of these, they consider improving access to information to be essential.
Brian Gardner, the report’s editor and editor-in-chief of the Economist Intelligence Unit, concludes on this point that «although municipal leaders face criticism for subpar infrastructure, it is clear that they cannot improve conditions without working in collaboration with service providers and citizens themselves.».
In addition to this public-private partnership, the report discusses the need for long-term planning if municipal authorities want to ensure a positive and lasting legacy for their cities and their residents.
