Infrastructure assets categorized by function

Infrastructure typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, water supply, wastewater, power grids, flood management systems, telecommunications and so on. Most of these systems are typically owned and managed by governments or public utility companies. How to categorize infrastructures?

Transportation infrastructure:

• Road and highway networks, including structures (bridges, tunnels, culverts, retaining walls), signage and markings, electrical systems (street lighting and traffic lights) and edge treatements (curbs, sidewalks, landscaping).
  
• Railways, including structures, terminal facilities (railyards, trains stations), level crossings, signaling and communications systems.
  
• Canals and navigable waterways requiring continuous maintenance (dredging, etc.).
  
• Seaports and coastal navigation systems.
  
• Airports, including air navigational systems.
  
• Mass transit systems (commuter rail systems, subways, tramways, trolleys).
  
• Bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways.
  

Energy infrastructure:

• Electrical power network, including generation plants, electric grid, substations and local distribution.
  
• Natural gas pipelines, storage and distribution terminals, as well as the local distribution network.
  
• Steam production and distribution networks for district heating systems.
  

Water management infrastructure:

• Drinking water supply, including the system of pipes, pumps, valves and filtration and treatment equipment, including buildings and structures to house the equipment, used for the collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water.
  
• Sewage collection and disposal.
  
• Drainage systems (sewers, ditches, etc.).
  
• Major irrigation systems (reservoirs, irrigation canals).
  
• Major flood control systems (dikes, leeves, major pumping stations and floodgates).
  

Communications infrastructure:

• Telephone networks (land lines) including switching systems.
  
• Cellular phone networks.
  
• The portion of cable televisions networks including receiving stations and cable distribution networks.
  
• The portion of internet systems including high-speed data cables, routers and servers.
  
• Communications satellites and underseas cable.
  
• Private or dedicated telecommunications networks (such as those used for internal communication and monitoring by major infrastructure companies, by governments, by the military or by emergency services).

(Source: Wikipedia)

Introduction to Quality of Life

Well, I had missed out some important parts - an introduction to my topic, 'Quality of Life' in Infrastructure and Public Facility. What do you understand by 'Quality of Life'?

According to definition in Wikipedia, quality of life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people. Differ from standard of living, quality of life is not a tangible thing, and so cannot be measured directly.

Quality of life by Robert L. Schalock, American Association on Mental Retardation, it is an organizing concept that can be used for a number of purposes including evaluating those core dimensions associated with a life of quality, providing direction and reference in approaching customer services, and accessing one's feelings of satisfaction and well-being. The study of quality of life requires an in-depth knowledge of people and their perspectives, and also multiple methodologies.

For the quality of life in Malaysia, Malaysia is a friendly and hospitable places in the world to work and live in, while Malaysians are warm, friendly people who easily accept foreigners into their circle of friends. In addition, this country's tropical climate with its uniform temperatures allows light, comfortable clothing throughout the year. Expatriates and their families will enjoy a safe and comfortable living environment with 21st century amenities, good healthcare and medical facilities, excellent educational institutions, and world-class recreational and sports facilities - at costs much lower than in their own countries. One of the country's most distinctive features is its rich diversity of cultures, a heritage derived from its racial mix of some of the world's oldest civilisations - Malay, Chinese and Indian. This has enabled Malaysians to speak at least two and even three languages - Malay (the national language), English, and their own mother tongue. Living in such a cosmopolitan environment, Malaysians are warm, friendly people who easily accept foreigners into their circle of friends. Besides that, there is a wide selection of comfortable housing in Malaysia. The year-long warm and sunny climate offers an unsurpassed lifestyle for people who like outdoors activities, such as climbing mountains, snorkeling and scuba diving. For those prefer indoors, they can shop-until-they-drop in ultra-modern shopping complexes that offer the latest in designer fashions, leather goods and electronic items at very competitive prices. Even there are lots of famous and attractive local food in this country. Without any natural disaster, Malaysia can be said as a country with certain level of quality of life.

For this topic of Quality of Life, I will focus on the aspect of Infrastructures and Public Facilities. How's the quality infrastructure and public facilities in Malaysia as well as the foreign countries? Are there any special and distinctive examples around the world that will attract your attention? Just follow my blog! :)


(Source of definition: Internet)