A bold plan for the United States to regain the lead in infrastructure development through privatization and public-private partnerships
America's infrastructure—its essential roads, bridges, ports, airports, power grids, and telecommunications systems—were once the pride of the nation and an example for the world. But now, after years of neglect and oversight, this infrastructure is crumbling and causing catastrophic changes in the US quality of life. Build seeks to explain how American infrastructure collapsed and what can be done to repair it.
In a series of colorful, rarely told cases, Build takes readers on a revealing tour behind the scenes of the successes and debacles of key infrastructure projects to show what works, why the United States has failed in recent decades to invest in infrastructure, and how the private sector can help revitalize the sector, spur job growth, and contribute to climate resilience.
Sadek Wahba examines the private origins of US infrastructure and the federally funded megaprojects that came after the New Deal, investigating the role the private sector can and should play in building infrastructure. By drawing comparisons with systems in the United Kingdom, France, India, and China, Wahba shows that while privatization and public-private partnerships cannot solve all infrastructure challenges, they are essential for closing funding gaps, overcoming political paralysis, and driving major infrastructure advances.
Build will appeal to readers interested in public finance, domestic policy, the role of the federal government, tax policy, and urban affairs.
Reviews
"Egypt could build the pyramids 4000 years ago, but America can't build infrastructure that works? Using insights from his years in academia, business, and policy, Wahba offers a compelling answer: the private sector and government must work together, each doing what it does best. Urgent reading for anyone who wants answers to one of the most vexing problems of our time."—Rajeev Dehejia, professor of public policy, co-director of the Development Research Institute, New York University
"Wahba has created the how-to manual with his book on the history of infrastructure finance. This book will be used in business and public schools going forward."—Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, former Republican presidential candidate
"A detailed, comprehensive review of the battle to get sufficient funding to rebuild the American infrastructure. Despite the excellent bill the Biden Administration passed into law, the fight is an ongoing one that will require continuing focus."—Ed Rendell, former governor of Pennsylvania
"Is there a less sexy word in English than 'infrastructure'? Maybe not. Yet Build provides a brilliant and captivating analysis of the critical role of infrastructure while offering vital insights to investors, policymakers, and everyone else. An excellent and engrossing read with engaging perspectives on a topic that may have otherwise been considered mundane."—Jamil Baz, managing director, PIMCO, author of Portfolio Selection and Asset Pricing: Models of Financial Economics
About the Author
Sadek Wahba is the founder, chairman, and managing partner of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment company. He is a senior fellow at New York University's Development Research Institute and a foundation fellow at St. Antony's College of the University of Oxford. A former World Bank economist, he serves on the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council.
