Prioritize People, Not Projects: Addressing the Harms of Legacy Infrastructure in the COVID-19 Recovery

This Brief looks at legacy infrastructure, such as roads, pipelines, and transmission lines, in the U.S. and the history of inequity that has led to a failure to provide reliable, equitable service to all populations. It starts with a definition of legacy infrastructure and highlights areas such Flint, Michigan where a lack of infrastructure maintenance has resulted in lasting health impacts. Next the costs of legacy infrastructure are discussed including pedestrian fatalities, utility prices, water and air pollution, and water access. The authors suggest that infrastructure investments considered during the COVID-19 recovery should prioritize people over projects and address the harms of legacy infrastructure systems.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.brookings.edu/research/prioritize-people-not-projects-addressing-the-harms-of-legacy-infrastructure-in-the-covid-19-recovery/
• Corporate Authors:

  Brookings Institution

  1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Kane, Joseph W
  • Vajjhala, Shalini
• Publication Date: 2020-12-17

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 12p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: COVID-19; Economic and social factors; Equity; Impacts; Infrastructure; Investments; Transportation planning
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01762312
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 15 2021 9:31AM