Infrastructure is important. Normally that statement would seem mundane, but Japan’s near-simultaneous earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis has provided a graphic reminder about the centrality of infrastructure in our lives — and the extent of our dependence upon it. Infrastructure can be the sewer pipes beneath our streets, bridges that span difficult terrain, turbines that generate electricity, or the vehicles that move things efficiently from here to there. Almost by definition, infrastructure is the framework of modern life we rely upon each day. It’s so ubiquitous to us that it usually seems invisible — until the moment when you need it most and it’s not there. That’s when infrastructure becomes the most beautiful thing in the world.
Formally, infrastructure is the physical and organizational structure that enables society to operate. It allows economies to function, and services and facilities to run smoothly. Personally, infrastructure allows us the illusion that we can insulate ourselves from the forces of nature. Look, appreciate, and enjoy, but please don’t take any of these structures for granted.
