The recommendations presented in this publication are intended for decision-makers in the public and private sectors as they seek to improve the adoption of emerging technologies into infrastructure development. They range from high-level strategies reflecting broad systemic commentary to tactical actions and concrete steps that can be taken by specific institutions and companies. The recommendations are categorized into three main thematic areas: 1. Creating new ecosystems 2. Creating new business models 3. Building skills and education The recommendations were developed by gathering the insights of the Infrastructure 4.0 project community members over a series of large general workshops and smaller working group meetings focused on the three themes. The project community consists of a global group of experts and stakeholders from 17 countries spanning all regions of the world. Community members from the private sector represent multiple industries, including engineering and construction, finance, technology and real estate, and include both large industry-leading corporations and smaller disruptive start-ups. The public sector is represented by members of national and subnational governments, as well as multilateral institutions. The project community also includes several members of academia from prominent institutions. The initiative is supported by the Global Infrastructure Hub, which maintains an online case study library featuring infrastructure technology best practices to which the Infrastructure 4.0 community members have contributed, providing real-world examples of the best strategies for integrating new technologies.

By applying Fourth Industrial Revolution framing (leveraging technology and information) to the sector and by reframing the understanding of infrastructure as a system within a system that focuses on improving outcomes for people and the planet, the high-quality infrastructure the world desperately needs can be provided.

This is particularly important in the wake of the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. As many governments make plans for infrastructuredevelopmentled economic recovery, integrating these recommendations into forthcoming policies could create generational impact on the world and be a crucial component of building back better.

The sections of this White Paper describe the project community’s 13 recommendations for enhancing the adoption of emerging technologies in infrastructure development in more detail.

Each recommendation includes guidance for implementation by the pertinent stakeholder group. Where available, current examples of the recommendations in practice are provided for reference. The timing and application of the recommendations will vary depending on the specific context of each case and jurisdiction.

The completion and launch of this paper mark milestones for the initial phase of the Infrastructure 4.0 project, which has defined the key challenges and identified potential solutions to accelerate technological progress in the infrastructure sector while enhancing long-term systemic thinking to produce better outcomes.