What is meant by infrastructure in an urban context?

In an urban context, infrastructure refers to the essential systems and facilities that a society constructs to support its functioning and improve the quality of life for its residents. This includes roads, bridges, water supply systems, sewage treatment plants, electrical grids, public transportation, and communication networks, among others. These structures are critical for providing services, facilitating transportation, and ensuring public health and safety within cities.

By focusing on "all of the things that a society builds for public use," this definition captures the broad scope of infrastructure that plays a vital role in urban development and everyday life. Investing in effective infrastructure is key to economic growth and sustainability in urban areas, as it enhances accessibility, mobility, and overall urban living conditions, thereby influencing the quality of urban life significantly.