Infrastructure

Creating a Sustainable Infrastructure System in Southeast Michigan (PDF, 1.8 MB) describes the region’s emerging infrastructure crisis related to transportation, water, sewer, energy, and communications. This report outlines the emerging infrastructure crisis in the region, discusses components of the solution to addressing this crisis, and gives specific actions the public and private sector must take to secure our quality of life and economic prosperity.

Whether it’s gallons of water, kilowatts of electricity, cubic feet of natural gas, or gallons of gasoline, a common characteristic in Southeast Michigan is that the base (number of units being assessed) is declining because we are consuming less. Some of this decline in consumption is related to the economic transition and some reflects the high level of importance we now attach to conserving natural resources. If we do not change the way we fund our infrastructure, revenues will continue to decline unless rates are increased.

The report suggests a number of actions to create a sustainable infrastructure system, including:

• Reducing costs;
• Redesigning revenue collection systems;
• Instituting collaboration among service providers;
• Strategically investing and disinvesting to make efficient use of infrastructure;
• Managing infrastructure based on a holistic view of needs and outcomes;
• Developing an agenda for specific legislative/regulatory reforms; and
• Promoting education and disclosure.

 Additional information on subsequent SEMCOG sustainable infrastructure work being performed under our HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant can be found here.