INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Abstract

The article is devoted to the theoretical substantiation of infrastructure development as a key factor in the formation of competitive advantages of local communities in the context of post-war reconstruction and European integration of Ukraine. The concept of infrastructural competitiveness of a local community is introduced and defined as the capacity by which quality development of basic and specialized infrastructure systems is ensured, enabling effective competition for development resources, enhancement of residents’ well-being, and achievement of strategic objectives in the long term. Four key components of infrastructural competitiveness are identified and substantiated: the physical-technical component (encompassing the condition of roads, energy systems, utilities, healthcare and education facilities); the institutional component (characterized by the quality of governance, strategic planning capacity, and transparency of procedures); the technological-innovative component (reflecting the degree to which digitalization of infrastructure management, BIM-technologies, GIS, smart-infrastructure concepts etc. are applied); and the partnership-financial component (determined by the extent to which public-private partnerships are established and international technical assistance is attracted). A three-group system of indicators is proposed for the measurement of infrastructural competitiveness levels: indicators of accessibility and quality, indicators of managerial efficiency, and indicators of outcomes, including investment attraction dynamics, rates of return of internally displaced persons and changes in the number of business entities. A multi-level mechanism for ensuring the infrastructural competitiveness of local communities is further developed, within which three levels of interaction are distinguished: the strategic level (at which infrastructure development strategies are formulated and community rating systems are introduced); the operational level (at which unified digital monitoring platforms are implemented and permit procedures are optimized); and the partnership level (at which inter-community infrastructure clusters are created and international donors and private partners are engaged through public-private partnerships). The proposed mechanism is positioned as a comprehensive tool by which the reconstruction process is transformed into a strategic driver of sustainable community development and long-term competitiveness.