STEEP Report: Future of Infrastructure

INFRASTRUCTURE: Building for Tomorrowʼs Competition

THIS MONTH’S ISSUEWhy We chose…

INFRASTRUCTURE

ROME HAD ROADS AND AQUEDUCTS WELL AHEAD OF ANY OF IT’S RIVALS.

ITS EMPIRE TOWERED ABOVE THE WORLD FOR CENTURIES.

The dark ages were ushered in when disorganized peoples from Northern Europe let that infrastructure fall into disrepair. What followed was centuries of ill health, isolation, ignorance and death.

The fate of our collective industry is about more than the bureaucratic policies of the Department of Public Works, but of our future prosperity.

THIS MONTH’S ISSUEWhy We chose…

INFRASTRUCTURE

As you know from prior STEEP Reports, there are several strategic changes that await us: from a global talent crunch to urbanization, from immigration to “clean” industries.

While many pieces are in play, one will greatly control how – and where – the rest of the chips fall. We’re talking about infrastructure. The physical capital of bridges, roads, ports, rail, and electrical grids doesn’t just provide the basic necessities of today, but actually functions as the roots of future economic productivity.

As such, to understand what will provide the underpinnings of all the other decisions you will be making, this issue of the Competitive Futures STEEP Report, studies the major trends in infrastructure around the world.

A personal note on Why We chose…

INFRASTRUCTURE

On July 30, 2007, Competitive Futures president Eric Garland was attending the international congress of the World Future Society, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Enjoying the beautiful Midwestern summer nights, he went jogging every evening over the Hennepin bridge, located next to Interstate 35, which connects St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The following evening during rush hour, for no apparent reason, the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed, killing 13 commuters.

A world-class infrastructure has been one of the hallmarks of the United States’ economy. If this infrastructure is threatened in the future, its impact will be broad reaching and instructive for businesses around the world.

The long-term future success of your company may likely depend on the infrastructural decisions made today.

1. Inform yourself about the state of the infrastructure on which you depend.

2.Communicate with your government about the need for infrastructure. It’s the future of their tax base, too.

Today’s success was built on yesterday’s investments.

Tomorrow’s success will depend on what you build TODAY.