ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the most relevant concepts on the need of a framework for sustainable infrastructure and megaprojects discussing both empirical evidence and theoretical reflections, focusing especially on the social and institutional dimensions alongside the environmental and economic ones. As megaprojects and infrastructure represent the backbone of every developed society and nation, and due to the climate crisis, the transition toward sustainable infrastructure, as also promoted by the United Nations and the SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), is nowadays more urgent than ever. This first chapter, drawing on existing scientific and grey literature, provides the wider framework adopted in this book highlighting the urgency of including the social component, both in terms of engaged stakeholders and of infrastructure governance, in every future megaproject and infrastructural project.
