Coordination of infrastructure development : some international comparisons

This report presents the findings from a desktop review into how governments across a selection of countries coordinate infrastructure development by working with the industry. The selected countries included the UK (Northern Ireland was examined separately from mainland UK), Canada, Germany, Japan and South Korea. The goal is to identify alternative means of coordinating infrastructure development at the government level, with a view to assist the Institution of Civil Engineers to make the case for a more strategic approach to planning and delivery of infrastructure. The need for this report derives from growing complexity in the way infrastructure development programmes are procured, and the shifting role of government from provider of infrastructure development to enabler of the process of delivery. Thus, an opportunity arose to compare alternative arrangements of government coordination. There were similarities of political governance landscape between the investigated countries regarding strategies of infrastructure delivery. Differences exist however in the way resources are allocated and decisions made regarding infrastructure development. A potential for greater transparency and collaboration between public and private sector was identified. In Germany, for example, local governments enjoy a great deal of autonomy in defining infrastructural requirements, even though the definition of requirements has to align with high-level planning principles at the regional, national and European levels. Delivery of infrastructure development is devolved to the local governments working with a range of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors with funding provided by regional allocations. By contrast, infrastructure development is coordinated by a single high-level government department Canada, Japan and South Korea. The make-up of this department varies across the three countries, with subtle differences in the roles and responsibilities of each constituent part. Nonetheless, the benefits of such an approach include a whole-systems view in decision-making and a somewhat simpler, more transparent way of funding allocation. Furthermore, in the case of Japan and South Korea, resources can be more effectively channelled towards advancing research and development related to infrastructure development capacity and more clarity in terms of skills development. The UK, on the other hand, has a fragmented approach in addressing infrastructure development, with a continuously evolving system of government departments and agencies having some form of influence on determining infrastructural requirements. In order to redress some of the challenges with such fragmentation, the situation in Northern Ireland differs slightly with the formation of a Strategic Investment Board Limited charged with overseeing infrastructure programmes, making delivery more transparent

Project Managers\u27 Capacity-Planning Practices for Infrastructure Projects in Qatar

Infrastructure project delays and cost overrun are caused by ineffective use of organizational skills, processes, and resources by project managers in the construction industry. Cost overrun and schedule delay in Qatari infrastructure projects have had damaging effects on the national economy by way of claims and litigation, contractual disputes, delays in dependent projects, and project abandonment. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions of project managers regarding how they utilize capacity-planning practices to mitigate project schedule delay and cost overrun in government-funded infrastructure projects in Qatar. This study was framed by three conceptual models developed by Gill to outline the capacity management needs within a construction company: (a) the time horizon model, (b) the individual-organization-industry levels model, and (c) the capacity development across components model. Date were collected from semistructured interviews with 8 participants, observational field notes, and archival data regarding Qatari infrastructure project managers\u27 experiences in capacity-planning practices. Thematic analysis of textual data and cross-case synthesis analysis yielded 5 conceptual categories that encompassed 15 themes. The conceptual categories were (a) resources to meet performance capacity, (b) knowledgeable and skillful staff, (c) short- and long-term planning strategy, (d) cost overrun issue, and (e) time management. Findings may be used to promote timely completion of infrastructure projects, which may benefit citizens, construction companies, and the economy of Qatar

Public Works and Housing Infrastructure Planning using Environmental Carrying Capacity Consideration:Case Study on Planning Dam Development in Kalimantan Island, Indonesia

This article aims to explain how the environmental carrying capacity indicators could benefit public works and housing infrastructure planning. Law No. 32/2009 about environmental protection and management stated that the government is obliged to implement the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA/KLHS) in the preparation of policies, plans, and/or programs that have the potential to cause environmental impacts and/or risks. This research aims to understand the process of using ecosystem services as part of the environmental carrying capacity. This approach would be relevant to the public works and housing infrastructure planning and is related to the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) goals in considering the environmental carrying capacity. This means that if the development of infrastructure does not meet the criteria of the environmental carrying capacity, it will cause negative impacts that could lead to futile infrastructures. The process of considering the environmental carrying capacity will be explained in quantitative methodology as an analysis process with a matrix as an overlay result. The overlay result will be interpreted as the basic information on whether a building in that location is feasible or not for carrying capacity conditions. The overlay result will be used as a basis for providing suggestions and recommendations

FROM GLOBAL COMPETITION TO REGIONAL GOVERNANCE; NEW PARADIGMS FOR REGIONAL POLICY IN THE 1990S

The purpose of this paper is to present some elements of one or more paradigms for assessing a region's economic growth prospects and related infrastructure requirements. These concerns are central to a regional policy that offers guidance for individual decision makers of local governments and their resident populations. A paradigm for regional policy is a model of regional structure and activity that provides a basis for understanding and foresight about regional growth and change. It is a framework for well-targeted infrastructure investments, vigorous and sustained capacity-building, and continuing efforts in intra-regional cooperation. Critical infrastructure for globally-competitive business enterprise includes air transportation and the accompanying distribution system that brings together all transportation modes to provide access to regional and global markets. Capacity-building refers to the successful application and integration of the means of control and foresight - good management coupled with realistic anticipation about the future - in both private and public management. Intra-regional cooperation starts with the public agencies engaged in infrastructure planning. We focus on implications of a new paradigm for regional policy on investment in growth-influencing resources and facilities, and their location. We relate these decision variables to the recurring themes that apply to any region with high hopes of sustainability.Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Remote sensing technology for disaster mitigation and regional infrastructure planning in urban area: a review

A Very high intensity of regional development is ubiquitous in urban areas. Therefore, urban development requires a proper spatial development strategy in many facets, especially social aspect and disaster potential. The essence of social aspect lies in the prevailing norms and local wisdom that have long existed and become the basis of community life. Inducing various effects on infrastructure development, disaster potential has to be considered as well. Disaster mitigation measures can start with the use of continually developing remote sensing technology, which provides a basis for preparing sustainable development planning. The realization of these measures in urban areas demands specific adjustment to the environmental conditions. This study aimed to examine the capacity of remote sensing data to support disaster mitigation and infrastructure planning based on energy conservation in urban areas. The results indicate that remote sensing technology can be an option for sustainable development planning in urban areas

Infrastructure and growth in Africa

The goal of the paper is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the impact of infrastructure development on growth in African countries. Based on econometric estimates for a sample of 136 countries from 1960-2005, the authors evaluate the impact on per capita growth of faster accumulation of infrastructure stocks and of enhancement in the quality of infrastructure services for 39 African countries in three key infrastructure sectors: telecommunications, electricity, and roads. Using an econometric technique suitable for dynamic panel data models and likely endogenous regressors, the authors find that infrastructure stocks and service quality boost economic growth. The growth payoff of reaching the infrastructure development of the African leader (Mauritius) is 1.1 percent of GDP per year in North Africa and 2.3 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa, with most of the contribution coming from more, rather than better, infrastructure. Across Africa, infrastructure contributed 99 basis points to per capita economic growth, versus 68 points for other structural policies. Most of the contribution came from increases in stocks (89 basis points), versus quality improvements (10 basis points). The findings show that growth is positively affected by the volume of infrastructure stocks and the quality of infrastructure services; simulations show that our empirical findings are significant statistically and economically. Identifying areas of opportunity to generate productivity growth, the authors find that African countries are likely to gain more from larger stocks of infrastructure than from enhancements in the quality of existing infrastructure. The payoffs are largest for telephone density, electricity-generating capacity, road-network length, and road quality.Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Infrastructure Economics,E-Business,Private Participation in Infrastructure,Non Bank Financial Institutions

Collective Efficiency and the Small Enterprise Growth in Kenya

Small enterprises contribute to economic dynamism, entrepreneurship and have potential to anchor sustainable industrial development in least developed countries. However, they are constrained by the lack of capacity to develop infrastructure and acquisition of technologies with consequent loss of competitive advantage in the global market. This paper explored collective efficiency as a paradigm that could inform infrastructure planning and development to support small enterprises. Data gathered from 203 wood-based enterprises in Kenya revealed collective efficiency to be positively related to growth of the enterprises. The relationship between collective efficiency and growth of the wood-based enterprises was found to be logarithmic. These findings demonstrate the vitality of collective efficiency in growth of small enterprises especially in the early stages. Key words: Collective efficiency; collective efficiency index, enterprise growth index, infrastructure planning and developmen

Spatially Distribution of Soil Ultimate Bearing Capacity at Singkil-Aceh Based on a Static Cone Penetration Test

The Singkil Sub-district of Aceh Singkil District comprises alluvium deposits with a relatively low ultimate bearing capacity. The ultimate bearing capacity of the soil is closely related to the safety of a building. The important thing related to estimating the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil is in-situ soil investigation. This study aims to estimate the spatial distribution of soil ultimate bearing capacity using field test data in the Singkil Sub-district. Estimating ultimate bearing capacity is useful to provide an initial picture for various planning and infrastructure development activities in the study area. Twenty CPT in-situ tests have been obtained from various field works in Aceh Singkil Regency. Field data analysis, based on empirical methods, was carried out to obtain the value of the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil at the test location. Then, the estimated distribution of the maximum bearing capacity obtained was carried out. The zoning map of the distribution of soil ultimate bearing capacity in the study was developed from this research. This map can be used as a form or effort of disaster mitigation by various stakeholders involved in planning and building various infrastructure facilities in the Singkil Sub-distric

Evaluasi Pasca Pembangunan Proyek Infra-struktur : Sebuah Kebutuhan Penguatan Kapasitas Birokrat Perencana di Pemerintah Daerah

Infrastructure development in an area before construction requires preparation and comprehensive initial studies and is an obligation for infrastructure project owners. Likewise, infrastructure development work is completed and operated, post-development evaluation is still needed to avoid unexpected impacts from infrastructure development. It has not been taken into account in the feasibility study. The regions' readiness and role are expected because the areas where the infrastructure is located have an interest and are the areas that are directly affected. However, post-development evaluation of infrastructure is often not carried out properly due to the limited capacity of regional human resources, especially planning bureaucrats in planning infrastructure development and then carrying out post-development evaluations of the infrastructure in their area. Local governments need to initiate capacity building activities for planning bureaucrats and related agencies so that each bureaucrat has a systemic thinking foundation in his work. The second level, local governments cannot work alone to improve the quality of their human resources. Local governments need to greet the nearest tertiary institution with various expertise and contribute this expertise to planning bureaucrats and related technical agencies. Besides, the level II regional government also needs to collaborate with the central government to provide expert assistance regarding post-infrastructure development evaluation