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The United States needs a 21st-century national infrastructure plan to help the country emerge from its recession and ensure future prosperity, according to a new publication released yesterday by non-profit education and research organization the Urban Land Institute and professional services firm Ernst & Young.

"Infrastructure 2009: A Pivot Point" calls for overhauling federal infrastructure policy and integrating land use and infrastructure planning at all levels of government.

The document outlines a four-pronged approach to changing infrastructure policy: create a national strategy that accounts for population growth, rapid urbanization and declining mobility in urban areas, and includes innovative new transit schemes; plan holistically to integrate transportation, energy and environmental programs with land use planning and housing policies; consolidate government management so agencies responsible for transportation, housing, water and energy can manage and execute a coordinated infrastructure policy; and change funding approaches to include higher gas taxes, increased use of highway tolls and charges for vehicle miles traveled.

For more information about the report, follow this link.