Urban infrastructure: Trends,needs and the role of aid |
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| Institution: | 1. Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia;2. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Kolbjørn Hejes vei 1B, 7034 Trondheim, Norway;3. Aalto University, School of Engineering, Rakentajanaukio 4 A, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland;1. TECNALIA Building Technologies Division, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain;2. Department of Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, School of Engineering, UPV/EHU, Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, 48013, Bilbao, Spain;1. Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States;2. Department of Politics and Policy, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States |
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| Abstract: | The benefits of urban services have to be made accessible to increasing numbers of low income families in less developed countries. High levels of service are unlikely to be sustainable, and success depends upon addressing the key issues of Affordability and Maintenance. The complex interactions between technical, financial and social factors must be considered. The provision of high standards of service by implementing agencies is expensive and reflects neither the priorities of the beneficiaries nor their ability to pay. It is more effective to provide only the most basic level of service (primary level infrastructure) at the outset, which can subsequently be upgraded. The community should be able to take individual and collective responsibility for their priorities in improving the services based upon what they can afford. Primary level infrastructure is provided without cost recovery, with subsequent improvements being funded through loans to individuals and the community. It is easier both to recover costs from and to maintain individual plot service connections; however, the installation costs and tariffs must be affordable. Efficient operation and maintenance is essential. This is frequently the responsibility of an urban local authority who should be fully involved throughout; design and implementation should take account of their technical and financial capabilities.The factors which should be considered in the implementation of urban infrastructure can be summarised by the “Five I's”: Incremental improvement; Involving people; Individual services; Income related; Institutional.Possible implications for external aid are: (1) funding of primary level infrastructure for identifiable communities, including support for continued community development; (2) funding loans for infrastructure upgrading, with loan repayments forming a revolving fund; (3) strengthening the financial and managerial performance of urban local authorities; (4) technical training for housing authorities, urban local authorities, and public utilities. |
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