Deteriorating physical infrastructure in cities

The pipes and wires laid for water, gas, electricity and telephone in many parts of older cities are reaching the end of their serviceable life. Generally, through lack of funds, they are not being replaced until they fail.

1. All cities are using up the capital of established infrastructure without adequate maintenance or the setting aside of funds for its eventual replacement. There will be a massive breakdown in basic urban services and financial crises for city administrations by the turn of the century.

1. Unrecognized future financial commitments
2. Loss of capacity with age
3. Inadequate infrastructure
4. Environmental degradation of inner city areas
5. Environmental degradation
6. Uncontrolled urban development

1. Dysfunctional public utilities
2. Deteriorated building conditions
3. Defective municipal water delivery equipment

1. Wastage of highly skilled personnel in the routine maintenance of complex systems
2. Unhealthy cities
3. Underprovision of basic urban services
4. Prohibitive cost of connection to public utilities
5. Privatization of public services
6. Lack of sanitation in cities
7. Degraded condition of urban landscape

1. Undervaluation of asset replacement costs
2. Uncontrolled physical expansion of cities
3. Structural failure
4. Limited availability of investment capital for urban renewal
5. Lack of funding for infrastructure
6. Inadequate maintenance of infrastructure
7. Confusing structural complexity

1. Upgrading basic utilities system

1. Outdated
2. Deterioration