Community infrastructure is a critical aspect of every city. The quality of the streets, sidewalks, parks and recreation, water and sewer, electricity, schools, hospitals, high-speed internet, public library, and public community centers affect how residents feel about living in their communities -- and whether they want to stay or move somewhere else.
"The infrastructure caters to different groups of people -- young children, adolescents, young adults, middle-aged households and older households," said Biswa Das, associate professor in community and regional planning and community development specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
"As our communities continue to age, it becomes important for cities to continually assess the community infrastructure and prioritize the need for maintenance, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, and investing in new infrastructure," Das said.
City and county officials throughout the state are invited to a free webinar June 3, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on "Strengthening Community Infrastructure: Creating long-term sustainable and resilient communities in Iowa." The webinar will include:
- A brief introduction on the value of good community infrastructure.
- The condition of infrastructure in Iowa communities.
- Areas of capital investments over the past seven to eight years in Iowa communities.
- Getting community feedback.
- Sharing of good practices in select Iowa communities.
ISU Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development and the Iowa League of Cities are conducting the webinar. Das will be presenting along with Erin Mullenix, Iowa League of Cities, and Julie Aberg Robison, ISU Extension and Outreach.
The webinar is free but online registration is required at https://go.iastate.edu/BMULOY.
"Good community infrastructure helps a community to provide a good quality of life to its residents, contributes to the local economy and tax base, and builds a more sustainable and resilient future," Das said.
Categories: Iowa, Business, Education