Book review: Build: Investing in America’s Infrastructure

Sadek Wahba, Build: Investing in America’s Infrastructure, Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2024; 392 pp.: ISBN: 9781647124960, £24.00/US$29.95 (hbk); ISBN: 9781647124977, £24.00/US$29.95 (eBook).

Infrastructure is often heralded as the backbone of modern society, a concept unifying diverse concerns such as economic growth, public safety and environmental sustainability. In Build: Investing in America’s Infrastructure, Sadek Wahba contributes a compelling and timely intervention to the literature on urban studies and infrastructure policy. As urban planners, policymakers and scholars grapple with how to reconcile infrastructural inefficiencies with mounting economic and environmental pressures, Wahba’s book offers a well-argued case for why America’s current approach is insufficient. Moreover, he makes a bold claim that private capital can bring much-needed innovation, efficiency and funding to resolve America’s infrastructure issue. Citing historical examples both in the United States and globally, Wahba demonstrates how public–private partnerships (P3s) can lead to better-managed, sustainable infrastructure projects. Wahba provides a historical context, showing how the American public–private collaboration model has shifted since the New Deal era. He highlights the shortcomings of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which, despite its US$1.2 trillion allocation, failed to fully meet the nation’s infrastructure needs (p. 24). By examining specific sectors like water, bridges and roads, Wahba explains how P3s could provide long-term, sustainable solutions.

The book’s central thesis is that the United States cannot rely solely on public funding to address its infrastructure crisis. Wahba’s analysis centres on two main questions: why has US infrastructure stagnated, and what reforms could unlock its potential? With examples ranging from the Flint water crisis (pp. 81–90) to the Interstate Highway System (pp. 151–153), Wahba discusses how systemic inefficiencies and political resistance hinder progress. Drawing on extensive case studies and comparative analysis, his global lens situates the United States alongside countries like China and the United Kingdom, which have embraced private capital to modernise infrastructure effectively (pp. 36–47). For instance, he analyses the Belt and Road Initiative in China (p. 237), explaining how strategic, large-scale investments can yield geopolitical and economic dividends. He contrasts this with examples of failures in the United States, such as the Flint water crisis (pp. 81–90) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike privatisation (p. 158), to showcase the importance of regulatory and strategic design in public–private collaborations. His analysis of these cases reveals a nuanced understanding of where private-sector involvement can succeed, and where it requires better oversight and regulation.

A key strength of Build is Wahba’s methodical approach. His advocacy for P3s is well supported by a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, including case studies, interviews and economic data. The incorporation of data, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) grade of C− for US infrastructure, lends credibility to his argument (pp. 122, 150). Combining qualitative and data-driven analysis, he examines US case studies, such as the Chicago Skyway (p. 163), a toll road privatised in the mid-2000s, which exemplifies the potential benefits of P3s. Under private management, the Skyway saw operational efficiencies and increased financial viability (pp. 171–173). Conversely, the Flint water crisis underscores the dangers of neglecting regulatory oversight and public accountability (pp. 81–90). By juxtaposing these cases, Wahba emphasises the need for balanced frameworks that maximise private-sector strengths while safeguarding public interests. Moreover, Wahba’s methodology includes an impressive array of global comparisons. He draws on examples like the United Kingdom’s embrace of private capital in airport and toll road investments (p. 207) and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (p. 237). These examples serve as a critique of America’s over-reliance on public funding, which he argues limits innovation and efficiency. However, the book occasionally overstates the applicability of these models to the US context. For instance, Wahba’s praise for China’s centralised approach to infrastructure investment overlooks the significant differences in political and regulatory environments.

One of Wahba’s most ambitious proposals is the establishment of a national infrastructure bank, designed to facilitate P3s by pooling public and private funds (p. 319). While this idea aligns with broader policy debates, its feasibility remains uncertain. Political resistance to privatisation, coupled with public scepticism of private-sector motives, could stymie its implementation. Moreover, Wahba underestimates the challenge of aligning private incentives with public welfare, particularly in politically fragmented contexts like the United States. That said, the book succeeds in illustrating the transformative potential of P3s when executed effectively. By referencing global success stories, Wahba shows that the United States can learn from others’ experiences while tailoring solutions to its unique regulatory and social landscape. His call for robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate risks is both timely and necessary, addressing critics who fear unchecked privatisation.

Build: Investing in America’s Infrastructure is an important contribution to the ongoing discourse on how best to address the nation’s infrastructure challenges. Wahba’s advocacy for P3s is well supported by historical and comparative evidence, and his insights into the intersection of governance and investment are particularly valuable. The book’s practical insights have been derived from Wahba’s own experience as a practitioner in the field. His interviews with global infrastructure managers add a layer of depth, illustrating the political, financial and regulatory challenges of P3s. For example, his analysis of water privatisation in Beijing underscores the role of private capital in delivering cost-effective solutions (p. 219). The book’s accessibility is another strong point. Wahba writes in a manner that is engaging for both policymakers and academics. His use of US infrastructure examples connects the technical aspects of infrastructure policy to human consequences, making the book relatable and impactful. However, the book’s emphasis on economic efficiency sometimes overshadows critical considerations of equity and sustainability.

While the book convincingly advocates for P3s, it provides limited critique of the private sector’s potential pitfalls. For example, Wahba acknowledges the risks of profit-driven management but does not fully explore instances where privatisation has exacerbated inequalities or failed to deliver promised benefits. The absence of detailed discussions on social and environmental impacts is particularly glaring, given the increasing emphasis on equity and sustainability in infrastructure policy. Moreover, Wahba’s selective emphasis towards successful examples of privatisation raises questions about case selection based on the dependent variable. While the failures of the Pennsylvania Turnpike are mentioned, they are not analysed with the same depth as the successes of the Chicago Skyway. This imbalance could lead readers to underestimate the complexities and risks associated with P3s. Additionally, the book focuses on economic and managerial factors at the expense of other dimensions, such as community engagement and environmental sustainability. For instance, Wahba’s discussion of toll road privatisation does not address concerns about equitable access or the potential displacement of low-income communities. Similarly, his proposals for a national infrastructure bank lack detailed analysis of how such an institution would address these broader societal concerns.

Nonetheless, Wahba’s policy recommendations are timely and pragmatic. Build: Investing in America’s Infrastructure is a timely and insightful contribution to the ongoing debate on infrastructure reform. His call for a national infrastructure bank reflects current debates on how to leverage private capital for public projects. By focusing on innovative financing mechanisms and regulatory reforms, he provides a roadmap for policymakers seeking to modernise infrastructure without overburdening public budgets. As urban studies increasingly intersect with questions of governance, finance and climate change, Build offers a roadmap for navigating these complexities. Future research should build on Wahba’s work by examining alternative models that emphasise community-driven infrastructure development and environmental sustainability that prioritise inclusivity and environmental stewardship alongside efficiency. Additionally, a deeper exploration of the political and social barriers to P3s in the US context would enhance our understanding of how to implement these models effectively.

Cite this book review