There is little doubt the 21st century contains vast and converging challenges for U.S. policymakers and transportation leaders. Environmental changes and deteriorating roads, bridges and buildings have undermined our financial resiliency and global competitiveness.

In years past, our cities seemed to be natural magnets for business growth and people simply adapted to the traffic, pollution and daily inconveniences that ineffective planning and development created. Today, this paradigm has changed and every city must compete against others around the world for capital, business and talent. Not only that, but pressure is increasing to control pollution, improve quality of life and enhance aesthetics — all at the same time.

The challenge is daunting: How do we maintain what we have and build what we need as budgets are tightening? To answer this question, we need to take a fresh look at our infrastructure — to view it as an asset rather than a convergence of corridors and systems. And to understand that it can be an instrument for creating economic opportunity and building stronger communities.

What this means is that today’s infrastructure must evolve.

For most of America, transformative infrastructure must arise from existing roads, bridges, buildings and waterways. In seeking to address issues facing existing infrastructure, we can find opportunities to fix problems and step toward a better future. In fact, in this era of tight budgets, the time is ripe for such creativity.

Solutions to creating transformative infrastructure begin with revisiting and revamping key processes. Among the most common steps leaders take to improve infrastructure are:

• Initiating inclusive planning processes that bring a range of stakeholders to the table early to gather the best ideas and diffuse polarities

• Revising plans for infrastructure repair or construction to factor in goals for economic growth, pollution reduction and green space

• Revamping ordinances and policies so they provide the right incentives for reducing energy use and environmental degradation

• Weighing options to reduce road congestion without new construction by doing cost-benefit analyses on transit enhancements and intelligent transportation systems

• Harnessing the political momentum necessary to raise the possibility of installing user-fee systems, such as open road tolling, to fund necessary infrastructure improvements

• Viewing infrastructure projects through the lens of making life in the community a more pleasant and rewarding experience