Infrastructure is the set of 'fixed' structures needed for a society to function. The infrastructure of a society is usually designed and built to meet the needs of the population at large. Infrastructure is a critical part of any society, and its neglect can cause great harm. Infrastructure is often expensive to build and maintain, but it is essential for the smooth functioning of a society. In some cases, the failure of infrastructure can have disastrous consequences. For instance, a flood caused by a failure of a dam could cause widespread death and destruction.
The term infrastructure refers to the basic physical systems of a business, region, or nation. These systems tend to be capital intensive and high-cost investments, and are vital to a country's economic development and prosperity. In economic terms, infrastructure often involves the production of public goods or production processes that support natural monopolies. Examples of infrastructure include transportation systems, communication networks, sewage, water, and electric systems. Projects related to infrastructure improvements may be funded publicly, privately, or through public-private partnerships