AIA Kansas City: The American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects believes one of the best ways to inject a stimulus into our economy will be through the design and construction industry. If implemented effectively, the current $50 billion of President Obama’s proposed stimulus package for infrastructure could create 800,000 jobs. To achieve this impact, it will be important to invest in more than “shovel-ready” projects simply to move quickly. In fact, a more thoughtful planning and design process could lead to more broad based job creation, a new level of energy-efficient infrastructure, and, perhaps most importantly, a legacy for future generations.

Job Creation
Obviously, the most important short-term incentive for the stimulus package should be job creation, which has created an emphasis on projects that can be implemented quickly. However, most construction-ready projects are “gray” infrastructure projects – roads, bridges and sewers – which are very focused in the relatively few number of trades and materials that supply them. While funding these projects would result in a quick infusion of capital and jobs, it would be narrow in trade focus, and could actually result in a spike in commodity prices of the few materials which go into them. Vertical construction – general buildings – have the capacity to create many more types of jobs (architects, bricklayers, drywallers and electricians in addition to engineers and equipment operators) and stimulate the production of commodities and products in their construction (glass, carpet and paint in addition to concrete and steel). The potential exists for a significant impact on a much broader and more geographically diverse cross section of the American work force and industry.

Infrastructure Creation
This stimulus package is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard in terms of energy efficiency, natural resource stewardship, water management, development density, and construction material selection. While most shovel-ready infrastructure projects are focused on expanding an already sprawling and deteriorating infrastructure system of roads, bridges and sewers, planning the next generation of infrastructure which conserves energy, adequately manages water, and spurs dense urban development will require a higher level of planning, design and analysis, yet will leave us as a country well-poised to meet the challenges of higher fuel costs, a limited water supply and a warming planet.

Legacy Creation
Perhaps most importantly, we need to understand that this stimulus package, the jobs it creates, and the things it builds will be the next legacy the United States leaves to future generations. While the creation of immediate jobs with shovel-ready projects is important, it is also critical to keep in mind that we have the extraordinary opportunity in the next few years to leave a legacy of education, health care, and vital urban centers that serve all of us equally. The thoughtful planning, design and execution of schools, hospitals, laboratories, community centers, universities, and civic workplaces, along with the implementation of thoughtful transit and water management systems throughout our cities, will have a much larger impact than simply a quick infusion of cash for roads, bridges and sewers.

Therefore, AIA Kansas City respectfully suggests to our Congressional delegation that dividing the stimulus packages into tranches, the first of which might fund construction-ready infrastructure projects for immediate job creation, while simultaneously funding the planning and design of the next generation of buildings and infrastructure of our nation’s communities. This would allow for the following tranches to focus on the broader spectrum of building projects to truly create a myriad of jobs, a more energy-efficient infrastructure, and most importantly, a legacy of investment for future generations.