Infrastructure is the stuff civilization is made of. If culture is the software, infrastructure is the hardware. Over time, rail, automobiles, mass production, power grids, telecommunications, global shipping, and aviation dramatically expanded the definition of infrastructure as governments and corporations raced to service the needs of an increasingly productive, complex, and interconnected world.
We are now in the middle of another transformational moment, with formidable challenges and innovative technologies converging to create an unprecedented opportunity to build the infrastructure of tomorrow. The current infrastructure boom is characterized by unprecedented scope. Today, the asset class arguably includes everything from satellites and electric vehicle charging networks to schools and living facilities for the aged. There is no universal agreement, but it is hard to deny that modern civilizations have more complex needs, and the interconnectedness of modern life means investments in the systems that support it are better considered holistically.
Authors:
SEI, ANZU Research, Global Fund Media