America’s crumbling roads, decrepit bridges, aged water systems. Our deficient dams, underserved levees, and woeful wastewater treatment plants. For nearly three decades, the American public has heard ad nauseam about the dreadful condition of the nation’s infrastructure—from airports to railways to hazardous waste facilities.
Since 1988, the American Society of Civil Engineers, through its Infrastructure Report Card, has shone a spotlight on the alarming shortfall in funding and resources to operate, maintain, and modernize the country’s infrastructure network. ASCE’s latest report card, released in March, scores the nation’s overall infrastructure at a D+ (it’s never scored higher than C). The price tag to modernize the country’s infrastructure systems: a whopping $4.59 trillion over 10 years, more than triple the cost from the 2001 report.
Of the 16 infrastructure sectors that ASCE evaluates quadrennially, only one—K-12 schools—is buildings-focused. The trade group scored the nation’s 100,000 public school buildings at a collective D+, citing an annual investment shortfall of $38 billion to maintain and upgrade facilities and a backlog of necessary improvements (53% of schools require upgrades to reach “good” condition).
Left out of this ongoing national debate over infrastructure—and the trillions of dollars of public funding that is expected over the next few decades—are the nation’s other public buildings: the libraries, community centers, courthouses, community college buildings, affordable housing developments, and justice facilities.
These, too, are critical to the safety, security, and vibrancy of cities and communities. And as is the case with the nation’s public schools and major infrastructure sectors, these so-called “social infrastructure” buildings are being neglected, with years of deferred maintenance, patchwork repairs, dwindling CapEx and OpEx budgets, and even the weakening and repeal of building codes—especially those related to resiliency and sustainability.
Thrusting the nation’s social infrastructure into the spotlight has been a recent crusade of the leadership at the American Institute of Architects. AIA kicked off this initiative in November 2016 with a national poll of 2,108 U.S. adults to assess the importance of public buildings to their communities. The findings: more than 80% see public buildings as part of the nation’s infrastructure, and 94% agree that well-supported buildings are important to their communities (whether they’re willing to open their wallets to help fund such
efforts is another question).
AIA has had its share of controversy during the past 12 months, most notably the post-election statements that riled some of its members. But AIA leadership deserves a pat on the back for its efforts with this campaign. Let’s just hope their proclamation resonates with the nation’s policymakers.
Related Stories
Resiliency | May 17, 2018
Architects brief lawmakers and policy-makers on disaster recovery as hurricane season approaches
Urge senate passage of disaster recovery reform act; Relationship-building with local communities.
Architects | May 14, 2018
4 tactics for our digital transformation
While our technology is becoming more advanced, the fundamental processes at the core of design and construction businesses have largely remained unchanged for decades.
Architects | May 8, 2018
WeWork names BIG’s Ingels as its Chief Architect
He’ll be plenty busy working with a company that has aggressive growth ambitions.
Architects | May 8, 2018
Illinois Office of Tourism unveils new Frank Lloyd Wright Trail
The trail stretches from Rockford to Springfield.
Architects | May 3, 2018
Designing innovative solutions for chronic homelessness
What’s stopping us from creating more Permanent Supportive Housing?
Architects | Apr 27, 2018
4 reasons to pursue speaking engagements
We found speaking engagements were among the top ten marketing techniques that AEC firms employ.
Office Buildings | Apr 19, 2018
From fitness to bowling alleys: How commercial office buildings are differentiating themselves through amenities
Here are five ways that amenities can help developers and building owners attract and secure tenants by appealing to their inhabitants.
Architects | Apr 19, 2018
Perkins Eastman and Dougherty announce intent to merge
Combined practice will create expanded capabilities for K-12, higher education projects in California.
Architects | Apr 17, 2018
Cannon Design expects merger with gkkworks will help streamline its deliveries
The combined firm reinforces its presence in the western U.S.
Architects | Apr 16, 2018
Is the AEC industry ready to shake off its retrograde image?
Technology has been and always will be perceived as a source for wonder and worry.