Infrastructure and Public Works Education

Abstract

Public awareness of infrastructure issues and a body of well-educated infrastructure professionals are critical to the efficient provision of public services such as water, wastewater, transportation, and utilities. It is important to introduce aspects of infrastructure management at all levels of education, both to interest students in pursuing further education and to increase public awareness and knowledge. However, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to infrastructure or public works education. This article describes (a) a vision for public works management education in the future, (b) the elements of an infrastructure or public works management education program in terms of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective public works management, (c) alternative forms of delivery for these skills and knowledge, (d) the roles of the American Public Works Association and universities in this education, and (e) the authors’ experiences with public works management education.