Fueled by a growing global population, particularly in urban areas, airport and mass transit projects are providing plenty of opportunities for engineering firms. An increasing emphasis on smart cities is being accelerated by disruptive technologies, such as connected and automated vehicles, which will have a profound, if not-yet-clear impact, on existing and new infrastructure.
While governments and companies in mature global markets, including Europe, the Middle East and cities in Asia, continue to revamp and expand airports, mass transit and high-speed rail, there are more opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa, including basic, “connect-the-dots” highways, notes Jim Stamatis, president and CEO of Louis Berger. Moreover, he says, “India probably has the biggest backlog and need for every mode of transportation.” Louis Berger is involved in the planning of the $90-billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which will include 24 industrial regions, eight smart cities, two airports, five power projects, two mass rapid-transit systems and two logistical hubs.