"Spending on Everyday Safety and Convenience Needed" Changing Perceptions of Infrastructure Due to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has raised calls for expanded infrastructure investment in welfare facilities.

According to a survey titled "Perceptions of Infrastructure Investment and Expected Future Infrastructure Demand by 2030," conducted by the Korea Construction Industry Research Institute to commemorate its 25th anniversary on the 20th, 71.5% of all respondents rated their overall satisfaction with infrastructure as "average or below." This satisfaction rating covered areas including transportation such as roads and railways, environment such as water supply and sewage systems and waste treatment plants, industry such as industrial complexes and ports, and lifestyle sectors such as sports and cultural facilities.

A notable feature was the significant regional disparity in infrastructure satisfaction. In Seoul and the six major metropolitan cities, 45.1% of respondents said they were "satisfied," whereas in provincial areas, this figure was only 13.8%.

Perceptions of infrastructure also showed changes. While 39.5% of respondents viewed infrastructure as a "foundation for national and regional growth," 58.0% answered that it was for a "safe and convenient daily life." Particularly, the 2030 generation placed high value on infrastructure in daily life. This contrasts with the core economic group in their 40s, who prioritized economic stimulus and job creation.

Regarding the need to expand infrastructure investment over the next 10 years, 69% of respondents agreed. More than 60% also answered that "improvement and expansion" of aging and lifestyle infrastructure are necessary.

As for the most urgent areas for infrastructure investment in the next decade, aging infrastructure such as railways and subways, and lifestyle infrastructure such as welfare facilities were highlighted. In particular, 51% of respondents identified welfare facilities like care centers and public healthcare as the lifestyle infrastructure most urgently needing expansion. Those who answered transportation facilities such as subways and residential roads accounted for 22.5%. The Korea Construction Industry Research Institute stated, "It appears that awareness of the need to improve vulnerable welfare facilities has increased recently due to the spread of COVID-19."

Meanwhile, regarding new technologies such as the 4th Industrial Revolution, the highest demand at 54% was for "new mainline transportation facilities." Additionally, high response rates were recorded for ▲energy consumption efficiency infrastructure (47.5%) and ▲smart public infrastructure (46%).

This survey was conducted online from the 3rd to the 8th of this month, targeting 200 general citizens nationwide.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.