4 Types of Sustainable Infrastructure That Can Benefit Developing Countries

Developing nations, while bursting with potential and ambition, frequently grapple with multifaceted challenges on their journey to progress. Among the most urgent of these are stark economic disparities and limited access to fundamental services such as healthcare, clean water, and sanitation. Developing countries are also among those most endangered by the many looming environmental threats brought about by the climate crisis.

Fortunately, building sustainable infrastructure offers both immediate reprieve and long-term advantages to developing countries struggling to elevate their quality of life. By adopting this path, nations can both preserve the environment and improve living conditions for their people, paving the way for infrastructure development services to serve as a catalyst for achieving economic growth and better public health. Robust partnerships between the public and the private sector are especially critical for maximizing the benefits of infrastructure development and ensuring that the types of infrastructure built truly meet the needs of the people on the ground.

Here’s a look at four types of sustainable infrastructure that can be especially beneficial for developing nations:

Hydroelectric Energy Plants

The power of rivers and waterways has the potential to illuminate nations when harnessed effectively. Hydroelectric plants allow for a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, providing communities with a steady stream of renewable energy while minimizing harm to the surrounding environment. In the process, these plants minimize reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, helping communities cut down on harmful emissions even as they also ensure consistent energy availability.

Such ventures gain momentum when private sector investments infuse them with technical know-how and financial backing. This investment, coupled with supportive public policies, transforms hydroelectric plants into both economically and environmentally sustainable projects. Furthermore, the benefits they offer extend far beyond simply providing energy. These facilities also serve as vital control mechanisms in flood-prone areas, create reservoirs that can be used to irrigate agricultural land, and provide communities with vital sources of drinking water.

Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc.’s bulk water supply facility, for instance, will be powered by a run-of-river hydroelectric power plant in a pioneering innovation called the “water-energy nexus” concept. Situated in the heart of Davao City in the Philippines, this venture will provide over 300 million liters of safe and sustainable water to the people of Davao City daily. Such initiatives are emblematic of the kind of holistic, eco-friendly infrastructure projects that can drive both economic and societal progress in developing regions. 

Water Treatment Facilities

In many developing countries, the daily pursuit of clean water is a journey laden with challenges. Often, children and women from rural communities traverse long distances to fetch water, sacrificing precious school and work hours. This not only hinders education but perpetuates cycles of poverty. 

Even when rural households do manage to collect water, it is frequently from contaminated sources, exposing communities to waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid. These health risks create a domino effect when combined with the aforementioned lost productivity, impacting education, health, and economic growth. Thus, it becomes clear that the ramifications of water scarcity extend far beyond mere physical thirst; they touch every facet of societal well-being.

However, water treatment facilities present a solution. By integrating private sector innovations in water treatment with public health drives and infrastructure outlays, this challenge can be metamorphosed into an opportunity. Clean water access signifies healthier communities, translating to a reduced strain on healthcare systems and fostering a more productive workforce. Moreover, treating wastewater before release serves as an environmental boon, safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and preserving invaluable freshwater reserves.

Lima Water Corporation (LWC) is one particularly salient example of sustainable water management. Catering to multinational corporations within Lima Technology Center in Malvar, Batangas, LWC boasts a robust daily water production capacity of 14.5 MLD and a wastewater treatment capacity of 26 MLD. These figures not only illustrate the corporation’s prowess in meeting immediate needs but also position it as the benchmark for Aboitiz InfraCapital’s forays into the water business sector. 

Recognizing the ever-evolving demands of the Lima Technology Center, LWC remains forward-thinking. Their proactive strategies include the installation of new deep wells and reservoirs, comprehensive rehabilitation of water networks and meters, and planned upgrades to the sewage treatment plant. These initiatives highlight LWC’s commitment to ensuring long-term service reliability while also accommodating the growing requirements of its clientele.

Solar Power Infrastructure

Energy infrastructure is often inconsistent across developing nations, with many far-flung areas receiving little to no coverage. Building solar power infrastructure is one viable way to decentralize power and route it to even remote islands or underserved rural areas, ensuring that even the farthest-flung communities aren’t left in the dark. Achieving wider electrical coverage through solar energy stands to both illuminate homes and energize local businesses, fostering economic growth.

In addition to being ubiquitous, solar energy is also a consistent energy source, eliminating the uncertainties that come with frequent power outages and ensuring consistent access to electricity. In essence, solar energy serves as an empowering tool, leveling the playing field between communities and allowing all to thrive, regardless of their geographic location.

Solid Waste Management Facilities

The meteoric rise of urban centers in developing countries brings with it a surge in solid waste generation. Streets often become littered with refuse, and overflowing landfills become common sights. Beyond the aesthetic concerns, this accumulation poses dire health risks as decaying waste becomes a hotspot for disease-causing pathogens. Children playing in these areas, or individuals living nearby, are particularly vulnerable to ailments linked to waste exposure. Improperly discarded waste can also leach harmful substances into the soil and waterways, contaminating sources of drinking water and harming aquatic life. 

Solid waste management facilities present a key solution to the problem of excess waste in urban hubs. Through a blend of public policy direction and private sector innovations, nations can transform waste from an eyesore into an asset. Effective facilities ensure systematic waste collection, segregation, recycling, and safe disposal. This holistic approach results in cleaner cities, reduced landfills and minimized environmental contamination. Recycling initiatives born from these collaborations may also lead to resource conservation and even new economic opportunities. 

In the grand tapestry of development, the threads of public aspirations and private sector dynamism intertwine, crafting a resilient fabric of sustainable progress. For business leaders navigating these waters, the horizon is clear: Collaborations in sustainable infrastructure are not merely opportunities – they are legacies that will resonate for generations, crafting a better world for all.