Sustainable Operation and Maintenance of Urban Infrastructure: Myth or Reality?

Abstract

It has become increasingly apparent that a paradoxical situation is emerging with respect to urban services in less developed countries. On the one hand a huge demand for urban infrastructure has resulted from rapid urbanisation; on the other, existing infrastructure is falling into disrepair before completing its design life. Operation and maintenance (O&M) has been identified by commentators as the key to enhancing the sustainability of existing infrastructure and assets. However, there is a general lack of understanding by stakeholders about the role of operation, maintenance and sustainability in the context of good governance.The aim of this paper is to explore the constraints to operation, maintenance and sustainability of urban services. The findings are based on case studies from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In each of the case locations, projects were completed more than three years ago. Data collection tools included document review, interviews and sustainability-are the availability of information and the attribution of clear roles and responsibilities. Operation and maintenance can be seen to be the most important determinant of citizens' satisfaction with urban services; this in turn leads to better governance.

Challenges of Coordination in Provision of Urban Infrastructure for New Residential Areas: The Iranian Experience

“…As Linn (1983) points out lack of coordination, financing and undesirable physical characteristics of new areas are major problems found in the provision of urban infrastructure for new development areas. In line with this, Sohail et al (2005) stress that overlap of responsibility, duplication of functions, and lack of coordination between different UIAs are common constraints for UI-provision in developing countries. To wit, because of the multi-faceted, multi-level and cross-jurisdictional nature of urban infrastructure, coordination between UIAs is an essential factor to achieve prosperity in the provision of these critical facilities.…”

“…These shortcomings impose extensive burdens on urban activities, inter alia, industry, commerce, residential and recreational activities. In light of this, Sohail et al (2005) stress that one of privilege constraints for UI-provision is lack of resources, including money, skills, technology, trained personnel and so forth. Moreover, the final project cost of the majority of urban infrastructure projects, worldwide, exceed the anticipated cost.…”

“…Despite of the interrelated nature of urban infrastructure (Hudson et al, 1997;Engel-Yan et al, 2005;Benedict & McMahon, 2002;Rinaldi et al, 2001) and as well as the substantial need for inter-organizational collaboration in UI-provision (Ittissa, 1991;Sohail et al, 2005), very few efforts have been devoted to understanding the role and related challenges of inter-organizational coordination in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development ISSN 2164-7682 2015 UI-provision. To this end, this paper is an initial step towards addressing this research gap by providing a conceptual framework, and empirical evidences from Iranian experiences in the context of UI-provision for new development areas.…”

Urban infrastructure as materialized consensus

“…Not surprisingly, each group views others as holding primary responsibility: civic officials assume community participation in operation and maintenance, while communities themselves view builders as responsible for continued inputs through maintenance and repair (Anand 2015;Sohail, Cavill and Cotton 2005). These oppositions provide opportunities for consensus-making, however.…”

Effective water safety management of piped water networks in low-income urban settlements

“…The partnership between the utility and the community members needs to be formalised, possibly through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (Cotton & Tayler 2000;Sohail et al 2001;Sohail et al 2005). The following key activities should be carried out with caretakers in the communities, as a build-up to developing a workable MoU for O&M between the community and the water utility (Cotton & Tayler 2000):…”