Alder Hey Children’s Health Park

 

A picture of the Alder Hey Children's Health Park (Image Credits: BDP)

Thoughts on Barcelona

 Thoughts on Barcelona

A picture of the street layout plan of Barcelona (Image Credits: The Guardian)

Bharatmala Project

 

A picture of the proposed coastal economic zones (Image Credits: Team-BHP)

Infrastructure under Joe Biden

Joe Biden (Image Credits: CNBC)

 

Sagarmala Project

 

A picture of the proposed network map connected by Sagarmala (Image Credits: Maps of India)

Sound Transit 3

 

A picture of the proposed rail network (Image Credits: Seattle Times)

Riyadh Smart City- A Recap

 

An overview of the city (Image Credits: SmartCity Press)

Mayan Heritage Museum

 

A picture of the museum (IMAGE CREDITS: The Yucatan Times)

Funding ‘High Visibility’ Infrastructure

 Funding ‘High Visibility’ Infrastructure

 

It is well known that China has brought a lot of high investments in projects initiated in developing countries where they have  financed and built roadways, transit lines, airports and any other major form of transport infrastructure you can think of. And it is not only restricted to that; Chinese yuan has also been spent on hospitals, schools and community development centres. As a result, it has helped them to consolidate their Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while demonstrating themselves as a soft power.

Other Asian economies though aren’t just sitting and watching. In recent developments, India has decided to fund the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP); which is said to be the “’largest civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives’. The financial package will have a grant component of $100 million and a new Line of Credit of $400 million” (The Wire). This project is said to give better connectivity to the four islands, boosting economic activity by generating employment and promoting more tourism in the region.

It would be interesting to see how this race between these countries to fund ‘high visibility’ infrastructure would turn out for the host countries themselves.

S. Jaishankar addressing a press conference with regards to the Maldives announcement (Image Credits: Indian Express)

State of Indian Infrastructure- Part 1

 State of Indian Infrastructure- Part 1

 

India celebrated its 74^th Independence Day celebration yesterday. Prime Minister Modi, in his annual address to the nation, had announced several new measures. One of them is the declaration that India will spend more than ₹100 lakh crore (approx. $1.3 trillion in USD) on the National Infrastructure Pipeline Project. “There is a need to give a new direction to the overall infrastructural development of the country to move India towards modernity at a fast pace. This need will be met through the National Infrastructure Pipeline Project," he said” (Livemint), identifying 7000 projects which would be developed in this direction.

The country has been experiencing a downturn in its economy even before the pandemic hit. It is expected that these projects would focus more on aspects such as climate resiliency and sustainable energy access infrastructure into the recovery response to the COVID-19 crisis.

A picture of the dashboard for the NIP released recently (Image Credits: YouTube)

 

Hudson Yards Project

Hudson Yards Project

The Hudson Yards project is one of the most exciting real estate development project not only in the country; but I would say in the world. Spanning over 28 acres around Chelsea and Hudson Yards, the project would consist of 16 sites. The first phase actually opened last year and I am happy to report that I did visit the site. There was a huge green space there which is very pedestrian friendly. Also some buildings have already opened up.

“When Hudson Yards is completed, an estimated 125,000 people daily are expected to live, work, dine, shop, study, stroll or sightsee at this 28-acre neighborhood, which will include 14 acres of public open space, a public school and the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor observation deck, among its many commercial and residential buildings” (Hudson Yards New York). The second phase is expected to be completed by sometime in 2024. Hopefully, I can review this exciting on-going project even then.  

A picture of the project (Image Credits: NY.Curbed)

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure- Part 4

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure- Part 4

In this series of blog articles, I continue my coverage of the impact of the COVID pandemic on US infrastructure. We can say in complete certainty that the economic impact of the pandemic, when measured, would be unprecedented. Though most states have reopened (and some of them have scaled back as well), its impact on infrastructure can’t be gauged quickly. Rather, a more systematic and comprehensive review of existing conditions and a plan to upgrade it must be sough out through experts. 

“One can expect that infrastructure financing will take a downward plunge in the short to medium term. However, once the pandemic is successfully contained, the focus will need to shift from crisis management to assisting to adequately invest in infrastructure for development, as well as preventing and mitigating the impact of future outbreaks contractually” (Deloitte).

A picture of the ASCE Logo; the ASCE is expected to play a big role in infrastructure financing in the near future (Image Credits: McKinley Advisors)

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure- Part 3

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure- Part 3

As mentioned in Part 2 of this series, the lack of infrastructural capital to not only operate current projects but also fund future, long-term projects is an extremely negative fallout resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One way to address this is by public-private partnerships which the US has taken little light of.

But, I definitely believe the country is seeing the benefits of having such agreements. Take the example of the healthcare sector: “As the CDC stumbled around in its early testing, Mayo and Cleveland Clinic rapidly developed their own tests, only to be forced to stand down by government agencies.  Now they are unleashed, as is Roche, ThermoFisher, Integrated DNA Technologies, LabCorp and Quest” (Healthevolution). Even the big technology companies like Google and Apple are regularly publishing mobility reports to support decision makers. This is also a great opportunities for governmental agencies to partner with companies and start-ups in the technology Sector for the latest digital tools. It is also an opportunity for the former to ensure that critical government services can be run digitally as well.

The CDC Building in Washington, D.C. (Image Credits: CNBC)

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure- Part 2

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure- Part 2

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreck havoc causing economies to be disrupted and major declines in employment rates, federal, state and local government agencies are looking at prospects of huge revenue shortfalls, lack of support system for service and maintenance, furloughing their employees and the prospect of multiple waves. In the transportation sector, most agencies are depended on various tax streams (e.g. the farebox tax, sales taxes, gas tax). With all these sources depleted, they have to depend on federal agencies to bail them out. This also puts a risk not only to their current projects but also the ones they have planned for the future.

At the same time, this is also a great opportunity for these agencies to fix their long-standing problems of projects still stuck in the gestation period. This is the time for them  address these critical issues and modernize the infrastructure, without compromising on the safety.

The MTA ridership has plummeted over the last three months (Image Credits: ABC7 New York)

Bangladesh Dialysis Centres

Bangladesh Dialysis Centres

This blog is now expanding to focusing on infrastructure of a type which hasn’t been explored at all: healthcare infrastructure. The first project which I am going to focus on is in a country of the Indian subcontinent: Bangladesh. According to KPMG, “Bangladesh is launching its first healthcare PPP: two dialysis centres in the cities of Dhaka and Chittagong at a cost of US$1.8 million” (KPMG). The role of the private sector in this project would be that of creating the existing infrastructure while the government would provide financial and logistic support.  There would be a leasing contract between the Directorate General of the Health Services, the Infrastructure Development Company (which acts as the capital provider) and Sandor Medicaid (which is the project developer).

This initiative is said to increase the number of dialysis machines and broaden the level of dialysis services by adding new capacity into existing public hospitals. This project will be developed through the design, build, finance and operation (DBFO) method. It is said that, based on the success of this project, other healthcare infrastructure-related projects like diagnostic services, imaging facilities, laboratories, pharmacies and ambulance services might be completed through public-private partnerships.

The Chittagong Medical Center, shown here, would have one of the two dialysis centers in this project (Image Credits: National University Archive)

Central I70 project

Central I70 project

Continuing with our focus on major infrastructural projects in the Middle States, the Central 70 project is considered to be the largest infrastructure development project in the Colorado Department of Transportation’s history. The project’s main objective is to reconstruct a 10-mile stretch of I-70, add a new express lane in each direction and construct a 4-acre park in a portion of the lowered interstate. Finached through a public-private partnership, the project would cost $1.2 billion in value. The CDOT would be working with Kiewit and Meridiam, for this project.

“The need for this project results from the following issues:

·      Increased transportation demand

·      Limited transportation capacity

·      Safety concerns

·      Transportation infrastructure deficiencies” (Denvergov)

At present, the project has attracted controversy regarding changes to laws which reduce the required air quality standards for the project. This project is linked to the I70 Mountain Corridor Project, which was discussed in this blog in February this year.

A picture of the existing highway (Image Credits: Denver.Local CBS)

Denver FasTracks

Denver FasTracks

This country needs many ambitious transit projects to keep it running. One of them is the FasTrack system. A multi-billion-dollar public transportation expansion plan, it is expected to bring in 122 new miles of commuter and light rail, along with expansion of the T-REX project, 57 new transit stations and stops, 21,000 new parking spaces, 18 miles of a bus service between Denver and Boulder and the renovation of Denver Union Station as a multi-modal transportation hub. What are the main objectives of this project: they include similar goals from other initiatives mainly increasing transit-oriented development that will reduce sprawl, congestion and pollution.

While originally budgeted at $4.7 billion, it has ballooned to up more than $7 now. What happened? Once again, the usual problems of stalled negotiations with an existing infrastructure, economic impact of 2008 recession, inflation in cost of materials and delays in construction have made Denverites to wait for this project even more. With budget cuts, driver shortages and declining ridership among the existing transit lines, the state leadership has to definitely take a call if they want to focus on existing ridership or continue develop Denver FasTrack.

An overview map of the project (Image Credits: Denver Infill)

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure

As the world reels from the COVID-19 Pandemic, many economic organizations including the IMF predicts an outset of a recession, which could be worse than the 2008 one. It is no open secret that US infrastructure lags behind other countries on many parameters. Many blame the lack of spending; but the main problem could be resource management. There are a lot of concerns regarding the reluctance to use tools of the Fourth Industrial Age to relieve traffic congestion problems.

The WE Forum has suggested three strong measures which US must enact to solve its infrastructure woes. I am going to reiterate them here:

1.     “Consolidate government authority to execute infrastructure projects

2.     To prioritize projects, the US should also start using data-driven decision-making processes

3.     Finally, we need to harness innovation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution to improve construction technology” (WEForum)

Since most infrastructure construction activities are shut down, there needs to be some economic stimulus from the Congress to support the all trade workers involved. Of course, the priority right now must be on the short-term problems such as testing, obtaining more ventilators & beds and responding to needs of anyone impacted by the virus. Let us see what the neat future holds for us. 

An infographic showing the impact of the virus on business organizations (Image Credits: PWC)

Maryland Purple Line

Maryland Purple Line

With so much focus on combating the fossil fuel industry and creating transit modes running on renewable energy, the Maryland Purple Line is an interesting project. A 16-mile light rail line extending from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County, the Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. The most interesting feature is that the line will be powered by the catenary system.

There are many advantages to this metro system: “it is estimated to take 17,000 cars off of the road daily, saving 1 million gallons of gas within 20 years” (Purplelinemd). The system would be run on electricity, so no air emissions. There are lot of in-built incentives for pedestrians and bicyclists. There is also a lot of emphasis on reducing noise pollution. On the whole, this is a very exciting rail project for mass transit enthusiasts.

A picture of the proposed rail network (Image Credits: Biz Journals)

Cuomo Bridge

Cuomo Bridge

The Cuomo Bridge is a twin cable-stayed bridge spanning the Hudson River between Tarrytown and Nyack in the U.S. state of New York. Built to replace the original Tappan Zee Bridge, the new bridge's north span carries the northbound and westbound automobile traffic of the New York State Thruway, I-87)and I-287; it will also carry a shared-use path for bicycles and pedestrians. The south span carries southbound and eastbound automobile traffic. The project is expected to cost around $4 billion. This project was built using the design-build method.

Why is this project required? “Bridge traffic grew to about 140,000 vehicles per day in 2016, far more than the Tappan Zee was intended to carry” (New NY Bridge). It is not rocket science to know that the heavy traffic has caused many accidents. There were also minimum lanes to respond to emergency services. With millions of dollars spent to maintain the structure, there was a need to retire the old bridge. The new bridge meant less congestion, with space given to both bicyclists and pedestrians. Thus, the Cuomo Bridge was built.

A picture of the bridge (Image Credits: HDR)

I-70 Mountain Corridor

I-70 Mountain Corridor

The I-70 Mountain Corridor will be a 144-mile route through Colorado’s mountains, on the existing I-70 highway. Its goals are to improve accessibility and mobility and decrease congestion along the corridor.

This is a very important project to take care now itself as it is the main access point to Colorado’s high-elevation recreation areas which also generates over 12 percent of the state’s $19.1 billion in revenue in 2015. The main problem is that the CDOT estimates that the I-70 travel times will triple or quadruple by 2035. According to a study done that year by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, it is expected to lose more than $800 million every year.

“The long-term vision for the 144-mile route on I-70 through Colorado’s mountains includes a broad program of transit, highway, safety, and other improvements. Implementing planned improvements will increase capacity, improve accessibility and mobility, and decrease congestion along the corridor. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, approved in 2011, provides background to how the solution was developed, details the improvements, and provides a framework for implementation of specific projects in the Corridor as funding allows. This decision is referred to as the Tier 1 decision” (CODOT).

The project is going to cost $3.5 billion. It is still in planning stages.

A picture of the proposed project (Image Credits: CoDOT)

Puget Sound Gateway

Puget Sound Gateway

Washington state’s project will expand highways to relieve traffic and congestion between Seattle and Tacoma. It is also expected to increase the ease and efficiency of the transport of commercial goods along the routes and to the ports and solve the ‘last-mile’ problem. WSDOT also claims the project would reduce congestion through the region The project is expected to cost $2.8 billion. At present, it is “in planning” stage. “The majority ($1.57 billion) comes from the Connecting Washington Revenue Package, tolling revenue is expected to be $180 million, and local contributions will be $130 million. PSRC has provided $8 million in regionally managed federal funds to Gateway-related projects” (PSRC.org). Other major stakeholders in this project include the Port of Seattle, the Port of Tacoma, and several local jurisdictions.

A picture of the proposed project (Image Credits: WSDOT)

Thoughts on Detroit

Thoughts on Detroit

Decentralization is now the new keyword to reinvent cities. Case in point: Detroit. There are three major factors impacting decentralization in Detroit: the idea of ‘core’ of a city has changed, the scale of decentralization has been extreme in Detroit as well as polarization of living communities (due to ethnicity) in Detroit. While, we have not seen examples of decentralization in other cities which we have studied in class, I can personally say that the latter two ideas hold true for the megaproject I have been studying: Navi Mumbai.

After Detroit went through a disastrous turmoil in 70s and early 80s, flagship projects were made the focus to bring in development. A major initiative done to spur growth was the creation of ‘Empowerment Zone’.  There is more autonomy given to local city governments to formulate their policies. Central planning is also vital for the success of these projects: in this case, it is the SEMCOG. There was also more stress on greater involvement from the local community. Financial support from the central government must also not been forgotten. The only potential drawback by these reforms is the fact that most of them are concentrated in short-term gains rather than having a long-term vision.