Sustainability and Adaptable/Flexible Infrastructure

Infrastructure is peoples' and governments' assets, intended for long-term operation. Future changes with large inherent uncertainties may lead to inefficient or obsolete infrastructure, representing a significant sustainability issue. Given that infrastructure can be fortuitously adapted in the future, but with different extent of effort and sustainability impacts, developers are caught in a dilemma as to whether to design infrastructure for adaptability/flexibility. This book first adopts a holistic approach to clarify the quiddity of infrastructure adaptability/flexibility; then quantitatively evaluates the sustainability of adaptable infrastructure. The book also presents a hybrid approach that advances the sustainability valuation of adaptable infrastructure. Practical methods and examples are given, striving towards bridging between theory and practice. The book will be of interest to people involved in construction industry, contemplating enhancing sustainability and prolonging the useful life of infrastructure through adaptation.