Infrastructure is deteriorating, conditions are changing, and increasingly demanding projects should be carried out with the same money - what advice do you have, Nina Raitanen?

Climate change, massive infrastructure repair debt, public finances in dire straits. Numerous phenomena of the time are making infrastructure projects increasingly challenging – with the same budget. The situation calls for innovation as a solution, but our RDI system does not favor infrastructure construction.

Leading expert, doctor Nina Raitanen is responsible for developing asphalt and maintenance issues at INFRA. Nina, how do you solve this difficult equation?

1. We need new products and ways of working, and it requires research and development. The government invests in R&D activities through the Academy of Finland and Business Finland. Funding infrastructure research from them is difficult when the conditions are, for example, export potential and internationality. Infrastructure is national capital, Finns are responsible for development. The research of other countries is often not even suitable for us, let's think about the consumption of studded tires on roads. National funding sources need to review their funding conditions so that we can guarantee a safe and functional infrastructure in the face of phenomena such as climate change.
   
2. Infrastructure networks the owner has the main responsibility for financing the development of the industry and especially for setting goals. Could the goals come from the ministry level? How about Infra repair debt halved by 2035 and construction carbon neutral by 2050? Industry actors and universities would be harnessed to find the means and create R&D projects. The funding would come from the 5 million euro annual research funding granted to the sector by the state. When the goal is clear, research gains momentum and progress is made quickly towards practical applications.
   
3. In companies is responsible for developing one's own activities. It means promoting digital, safety and environmental issues. Bringing products or operating methods developed in companies to the market is unfortunately cumbersome and often leads to public procurement procedures, where it is difficult to compete with innovation.