Infrastructure challenge

To make infrastructure, the built environment and transport systems resilient to environmental change, less carbon intensive and more socially acceptable.

The infrastructure challenge steering group:

The steering group will ensure that the UK gets the tools, knowledge and foresight needed to address the infrastructure challenge. The group is chaired by Richard Miller from the Technology Strategy Board.

The group will

• review the identification and engagement of relevant research, policy, business and society communities.
• develop a vision for success for funders, policy, business and society and develop an implementation plan for the challenge.

What does this challenge mean for business?

The issue

• Current infrastructure is old, operating near maximum capacity and at risk of systemic failures.
• Needs to be resilient to environmental change.
• Fragmented structure and governance.

Business threats

• Failure or degradation of any of the core infrastructure will have immediate effect on business continuity locally, and could rapidly spread throughout the system.

Business opportunities

• Estimated £500bn needs to be spent on UK infrastructure by 2020.
• Opportunities: energy, built environment, transport, digital communications, flood & water management, and the reduction & handling of waste.

Read documents related to the infrastructure challenge: