Name(s):
Deteriorating hardware of urban public utilities
Outdated basic utilities
Nature
The pipes and wires laid for water, gas, electricity and telephone in many parts of older cities are reaching the end of their serviceable life. Generally, through lack of funds, they are not being replaced until they fail.
Claim
All cities are using up the capital of established infrastructure without adequate maintenance or the setting aside of funds for its eventual replacement. There will be a massive breakdown in basic urban services and financial crises for city administrations by the turn of the century.