May 1, 2024
Updated May 10, 2025
24 minute read
Infrastructure forms the very bedrock of modern civilization, encompassing the fundamental facilities and systems that empower a country, city, or region to function effectively. It's the intricate network of roads that carry us, the power grids that light our homes, the telecommunication lines that connect us, and the water systems that sustain us. In essence, infrastructure provides the essential commodities and services that enable, sustain, and enhance societal living conditions. Working in infrastructure can be an engaging and exciting endeavor, offering the opportunity to contribute to projects with a tangible and lasting impact on communities and economies. It's a field where innovation meets real-world problem-solving, shaping the environment in which we live and work.
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Find a path to becoming a Infrastructure. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/snetne/infrastructur
Reading list
We've selected 27 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Infrastructure.
A seminal work in urban planning, Jacobs critically examines the impact of urban design and infrastructure on city life. It's a must-read classic that challenges conventional wisdom and emphasizes the importance of human-scale infrastructure. is essential for anyone studying urbanism and provides valuable context for understanding the social implications of infrastructure decisions.
Dives into the contemporary topic of Infrastructure as Code (IaC), a critical practice in modern IT infrastructure management and cloud computing. It's essential for students and professionals working with cloud platforms and automation. It provides practical knowledge and can be used as a reference for implementing IaC principles.
Nobel laureate Anthony M. Pagano discusses the basic theory and application of economics to the study of infrastructure industries (railroads, highways, waterways, energy, telecommunication, and water supply). Pagano surveys the regulatory and economic principles guiding these industries, applying modern microeconomic tools to analyze investment decisions, pricing policies, and competitive strategies.
Focusing on the contemporary topic of sustainability in infrastructure, this book provides a guide to environmentally conscious engineering and development practices. It's highly relevant for current discussions and is valuable for students and professionals interested in the future of infrastructure. It can serve as both a learning resource and a reference for sustainable design principles.
This recent (2024) book reframes the purpose of infrastructure as a tool for reducing socio-economic inequalities. Drawing on extensive global experience, it critiques conventional approaches and highlights how focusing on user needs can lead to more equitable outcomes. It's highly relevant for contemporary policy discussions and valuable for students and professionals in urban development, public policy, and social justice.
Foundational text for understanding the principles and practices of Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), a discipline focused on building and maintaining highly reliable and scalable IT infrastructure. It's a must-read for students and professionals in computer science and IT, particularly those interested in cloud infrastructure and operations. It provides in-depth technical knowledge and is commonly used as a reference.
Addresses the critical contemporary challenge of building resilient urban infrastructure in the face of climate change and resource depletion. It's essential reading for those concerned with the sustainability and adaptability of cities and their infrastructure systems. Valuable for students and professionals in urban planning, environmental science, and public policy.
Focuses on the critical and contemporary issue of water infrastructure, emphasizing equitable development and resilience. It's highly relevant given increasing concerns about climate change and urban water management. Suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals in environmental engineering, urban planning, and public policy.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography examines the immense influence of Robert Moses on the infrastructure of New York City. It's a classic for understanding the political and social forces that shape urban development and infrastructure projects. While a lengthy read, it offers deep insights for graduate students and professionals on the complexities of realizing large-scale infrastructure visions.
Explores contemporary infrastructure as a form of 'extrastatecraft,' operating outside traditional political frameworks. It's highly relevant for understanding the global and often invisible systems that shape our world, making it suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students interested in the political economy of infrastructure. It offers a unique perspective on contemporary topics.
Explores the contemporary concept of smart cities and the role of technology and data in urban infrastructure and governance. It's highly relevant for understanding the future of urban development and the integration of digital technologies into physical infrastructure. Suitable for students and professionals interested in urban planning, technology, and public policy.
Published recently in 2023, this book offers a comprehensive global history of infrastructure over the past two centuries. It provides a broad understanding of how infrastructure has shaped societies, economies, and daily life. Suitable for a wide audience, it offers valuable historical context for understanding contemporary infrastructure challenges and developments.
A classic environmental history that examines the development of water infrastructure in the American West and its ecological and social consequences. It's a must-read for understanding the historical context of water management and the long-term impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects. Highly relevant for students of environmental studies, history, and policy.
Delves into the complexities and inherent risks associated with large-scale infrastructure projects. It's crucial for those looking to deepen their understanding of the challenges in infrastructure planning and execution, particularly for graduate students and professionals. It provides valuable insights into avoiding common pitfalls and can be used as a reference for project management.
Provides a foundational understanding of infrastructure by examining its social value and how it functions as a shared resource. It delves into the economic and policy aspects of infrastructure, making it suitable for those seeking a broad understanding. While published in 2012, its core concepts remain highly relevant and provide essential background knowledge for contemporary discussions.
Tells the story of the humble shipping container and its transformative impact on global trade and infrastructure. It's an excellent example of how a seemingly simple innovation in infrastructure can have profound economic and social consequences. Suitable for a broad audience, it provides valuable context for understanding global supply chains and the infrastructure that supports them.
Provides a fascinating look at the history, current state, and future challenges of the electric grid, a critical piece of infrastructure. It's accessible to a broad audience and highlights the complexities and vulnerabilities of essential infrastructure systems. Valuable for gaining a broad understanding of energy infrastructure and its societal implications.
Written as a novel, this book introduces core concepts of DevOps and IT infrastructure management in an accessible way. It's highly recommended for anyone new to the field, including high school and undergraduate students considering IT careers, as it provides a practical understanding of the challenges and solutions in managing IT infrastructure. It's more of an introductory read than a deep technical reference.
Focuses on infrastructure for sustainable communities, covering topics such as green infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation.
This handbook offers a broad and international perspective on infrastructure design through the lens of architectural history. It's valuable for students and professionals interested in the historical, cultural, and aesthetic dimensions of infrastructure. It provides a wide range of case studies and can be used as a reference for understanding the diverse forms and impacts of infrastructure globally.
Considered a classic in urban studies, Mumford's work provides historical context for the development of cities and their underlying infrastructure. While not solely focused on infrastructure, it offers a foundational understanding of the relationship between urban form and essential services. It's valuable for gaining a broad, historical perspective and must-read for students of urban planning and history.
This classic text applies operations research techniques to urban problems, many of which are related to infrastructure systems like transportation and emergency services. It's valuable for graduate students and researchers interested in quantitative analysis of urban infrastructure. While more theoretical, it provides a deep understanding of modeling and optimizing infrastructure performance.
Focuses on infrastructure finance, covering topics such as infrastructure investment, project financing, and risk management.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/snetne/infrastructur
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