A Study about Establishing Standards for Social Infrastructure
Overview of this report: This paper adopts a social sustainability framework to explore the issue of social infrastructure. It outlines a cost benefit analysis of the importance of social capital and well planned social infrastructure. On the basis of relevant research and through case studies, the paper indicates the costs to government and communities of not giving appropriate attention to social infrastructure needs and requirements. The report considers the distinction between ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ infrastructure, the relationship between the two and the importance of incorporating both aspects in planning local communities. Consideration is given to developments in other jurisdictions in measuring social sustainability and establishing standards for social infrastructure that assist in the planning of new developments and redevelopment of local communities.
Over the past decade or more, governments across the developed world are now recognising the mistakes and associated costs involved in failing to provide for adequate social infrastructure in particular local communities. There is recognition that a number of metropolitan and regional areas have been hard hit as a result of factors such as structural changes in the economy, changed patterns of employment and income distribution and demographic and social changes. However, the failure to make adequate provision for social infrastructure in the past has exacerbated the problems for these areas. Consequently, particular localities have been left in a state of extreme disadvantage but with few social support services to buffer the effects of these changes. In response, governments are now faced with attempting to apply remedial measures to compensate for previous under-provision. Keep reading…
