Infrastructure usually refers to the services and facilities that enable a country, city, or other type of community to function smoothly. The infrastructure of a city typically includes bridges, roads, hospitals, prisons, schools, and other facilities that residents need for daily life. Infrastructure also includes communications systems, utility services, law enforcement, water supplies, sewer systems, and transportation systems. The services and facilities of an infrastructure are sometimes called social overhead capital or social capital.
Governments and city planners must maintain and modify infrastructures to keep up with the changing needs of communities. For example, old roads and buildings require periodic repairs. If the population of a community increases, city officials must ensure that there is enough water for all the residents and enough space in schools for all the children. Some communities lack the funds or resources needed to maintain an effective infrastructure.
The term infrastructure is sometimes applied to other types of systems and structures. For example, it can refer to the basic departments and divisions that make up a large corporation or government. It can also be used to describe the elements that form the basis of a telecommunications system, such as wires and cables, computers and software, modems, and the Internet.
