This is my fourth in a
series of blogs discussing Communities in Motion 2040 and the relationship between
transportation and other elements discussed in the plan. You can find the
previous blogs below (transportation/land use, transportation/housing, and
transportation/open space). Today I am discussing transportation and community
infrastructure.
First we need to tackle
the issue of defining “community infrastructure.” Dictionary.com
defines infrastructure as “the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area,
such as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools.” In the context of developing Communities
in Motion 2040, “community infrastructure” primarily refers to
utilities such as sewer, water, and power.
So, what is the
relationship between transportation infrastructure and “community”
infrastructure? Quite often, these types of infrastructure are built, and work,
in concert – or at least they should.
One practical example of
the intersection (yes, pun intended) of these types of infrastructure involves
construction and maintenance. We've all experienced what appears to be a lack
of coordination when a road is torn up for a road construction project, only to
be torn up again a few months later for a utility project. Coordination of construction
and maintenance of transportation with other infrastructure can minimize impacts
on citizens and potentially reduces costs.
A second example of how
these types of infrastructure interconnect relates to development. New
development depends on available infrastructure capacity, and in some cases may
bring about the need for completely new infrastructure -- new roads, new sewer
and power lines, etc. Or, the advent of one of these types of infrastructure
may lead to the need for the others – the “if you build it, they will come”
phenomenon. For example, construction of a new road can open an area for
development, which then leads to the need for additional new infrastructure to
accommodate growth in the area.
Communities in Motion 2040 goals highlight
the desire of community leaders to “maximize the use of existing
infrastructure” and to “encourage infill development,” to better manage the
need for new infrastructure.
Why does that matter? Relying
on existing infrastructure and minimizing the addition of new infrastructure
can…
·
Preserve
undeveloped areas.
Using existing infrastructure, even for new development, generally means that new
development will be occurring in or near a community or other development, as
opposed to in an area that is currently farmland or open space. This, in turn,
helps support Communities in Motion 2040 goals of preserving farmland and open space by
discouraging development in those areas.
·
Make
the most of existing investments.
Encouraging growth in areas with existing infrastructure helps communities use
any excess infrastructure capacity, and thus make the most of the investment.
·
Save
money. Not only is
building new infrastructure expensive in the short-term, maintaining that
additional infrastructure is also expensive in the long-term.
I certainly do not mean
to imply that growth should rely solely on existing infrastructure or that new
infrastructure is “bad.” New infrastructure will be needed to support the
growth forecast between now and 2040. However, as new developments and new
infrastructure projects are planned, consideration should be given to how
existing infrastructure can be used to its fullest potential before new
infrastructure is built.
