| Problem | Components |
|---|---|
| Policy issue area: | Cities/regions |
| Policy issue: | Cities |
| Description: | Serious disrepair of municipal water systems, sewer networks, streets and roads, and other components of the urban infrastructure. |
| Symptoms: | Failing water mains, sewer system breakdowns, bad streets and roads, subway problems, etc. |
| Causes: | Inadequate upkeep of aging facilities, caused by lack of municipal finances; underinvestment in urban amenities; inability of the national and state governments to provide financial support (public spending on infrastructure went down 30% from 1960 to 1990). |
| Cost of problem: | - |
| Solution | Components |
| Resources: | Federal, state and local governments; construction industry; universities and research institutes. |
| Goal: | Improve the habitability and economy of cities and communities through proper maintenance and repair of the urban infrastructure. |
| Program area: | Urban development |
| Program-remedy: | 1. A national commitment to increase capital spending by 100% 2. A National Investment Program, to channel pension fund assets to projects 2. Coordinate respective roles of Federal, state and local governments 3. Increased support for research and development. |
| Program-prevent: | National program of infrastructure development and maintenance. |
| Cost of program: | - |
| Beneficiaries: | Business and industry; residents of urban areas. |