in the queue waiting for their piece of the proverbial pie . The queue is getting longer … and the wait won ’ t subside unless something changes in the fundamental way the industry ‘ does things ’. This year , the South African infrastructure sector will experience a 12 % decrease in infrastructure spending . Only perceived priority projects will receive attention , while less obvious but crucial infrastructure development will have to be placed on the backburner for an indefinite time . The infrastructure industry is reactive and fights an uphill battle , to a point where tendering for public infrastructure projects has become unsustainable . The number of infrastructure problems we currently face , especially in the water sector , has become insurmountable , and government is struggling to prioritise and roll out enough projects just to sustain the industry . Not that government isn ’ t trying its level best to produce tender documentation to get a few projects off the ground , but the fact of the matter is , government has taken on too heavy a burden to carry . With constant internal politics , corruption , social grants , poverty , unemployment , the land issue , free education , downgrades , bureaucracy , and a legion of other issues , is it any wonder that there is little traction on the infrastructure sector ? Our current infra problems need some creative resolve to get the ball rolling again . By blindly following the current system , where we reply to our client once they ask for a proposal , while neglecting to address sustainability in the long term , is a bit like driving imaginary nails into the wall . We are not solving the real problem , and by not solving the real problem we are creating new problems . The creative genius Mark Neumeier notes : “ The complex business problems we face today can ' t be solved with the same thinking that created them .” By simply following the status quo , we are not helping government achieve and implement the NDP goals . So how do we change this ? In short , we need to get our hands dirty , have a good look at the real problem , get the right tools , and fix it . In the past , that would have meant bending nature to our will and beating it into submission , but the world awakened to a new reality and the opportunities are endless . Globally , the world has reached a point where the ‘ green economy ’ is no longer just an option , but an ethical responsibility for everyone involved in infrastructure development . Case studies increasingly show that a sustainable and green approach to infrastructure is essential in creating a sustainable society . To achieve sustainability , infrastructure and investment professionals need to engage in a coordinated approach to make the infrastructure sector more resource resilient and more restorative of the natural environment . An inclusive approach to infrastructure is now crucial to reduce poverty and inequality by creating the green jobs that are sustainable . It might mean creating new infrastructure or reviewing what we have in place and renewing it with the latest technology available . We must rethink who will provide finance for innovative solutions to the real problems . Finance for infrastructure projects requires a fresh approach — a new flow of finance to develop the green economy . The need for fresh water has risen dramatically over the past two decades in South Africa . Clean water is a surprisingly scarce resource , unevenly spread , and in areas with low rainfall and high evaporation , the scarcity can be a major problem . In recent years , South Africa suffered from the effects of severe droughts , increasing the strain on the already fragile resources with notable economic implications for millions of people . We need no reminder that approximately 3.8-million Capetonians are affected by scarcity and by the challenges associated with extracting and transporting water . The future is uncertain , but it is likely that long-term water scarcity will spread to other parts of South Africa . Water resources are over-utilised , and innovative ways are required to ensure that more water is replaced than what we consume . Furthermore , old water infrastructure has fallen into disrepair , leading to massive water losses of over 35 %. Innovative and feasible methods can be used to extend the life of water infrastructure , to meet the expected growth in water demand in South Africa over the coming years . Often overlooking our nature-based equivalent of built infrastructure , such as catchments , wetlands , and vegetation and the role it plays in replenishing and preserving precious water resources , the industry should be proactive in preserving and maintaining ecological infrastructure , instead of rehabilitating owing to neglect . Case studies indicate that proactive management of ecological infrastructure is far more feasible than reactive rehabilitation . Ultimately , we can only implement sustainable and green water infrastructure strategies if government provides the atmosphere of freedom to pursue this freely , but responsibly . A good start would be if government can provide a platform where ‘ independent water management ’ firms can present and implement projects to address the situation adequately before it is too late . In the meantime , be proactive by preparing for a new way of managing water infrastructure , and let us assist government in turning things around , instead of having a reactive approach , waiting for some project to land on our table . Let us get our hands dirty and create our own possibilities . nn
About the author Walter Scharf is an independent civil engineering professional and MD of Gestion , with an uncanny passion for innovation in the consulting engineering environment . He assists clients with infrastructure planning and enjoys working with highly skilled teams to create something extraordinary .
CEC May 2018 - 27
INSIGHT