Purpose The role of public–private partnerships (PPP) as a strategic initiative to improve and accelerate service delivery in the form of newly built and revitalised water infrastructure assets in developing countries cannot be over-emphasised. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess and highlight the importance of critical success factors for water infrastructure projects delivered under public–private partnerships. Design/methodology/approach A survey design was used and a questionnaire was administered to stakeholders who have participated in delivering water infrastructure assets in South Africa. Out of 150 administered questionnaires, only 91 were returned and usable for analyses, representing a 61 per cent response rate. The data gathered were then analysed using descriptive and factor analysis. Findings The study revealed that thorough planning for project viability, high levels of transparency and accountability and a legal framework stipulating policy continuity are the CSFs for delivering water infrastructure projects under the PPP initiative. The findings emerging from factor analysis owing to a close variance revealed the importance of the following grouped factors, namely, public cooperation, project viability and policy and legislation enhancement. Practical implications From the results, it is clear that the public sector, as the facilitator of infrastructure development, should create an environment that is conducive for private capital through political will and commitment and the enhancement of policy and legislation where there is no or minimal private participation. Originality/value Adequate infrastructure investment from private capital promises to flourish economically and improve the living conditions of the public in the cities and the country at large. To further guarantee the reality of PPPs at a local level, the host government must adequately engage and enlighten the public.

Purpose Minimal private participation for infrastructure development continues to affect developing economies like South Africa. This study aims to determine the perceived occurrence of challenges delaying the delivery of water infrastructure assets and the role of both public and private financing for infrastructure development. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative approach was used, and questionnaires were administered to stakeholders that have participated in delivering water infrastructure assets in South Africa. Of the 96 returned questionnaires, 91 were usable, representing 61 per cent response rate. Data from the survey were analysed using descriptive and exploratory factor analyses. The reliability test represented a value of 0.945, indicating internal consistency. Findings Data analysis revealed that corruption, hostility, weak project structuring, high fiscal deficits by state government, cost recovery constraints, high credit risk for private financing and unreliable planning and procurement processes are major challenges delaying the delivery of water infrastructure assets. More so, municipal government remains the key custodian of water infrastructure delivery with limited support from private capital as a result of political administrative instability, legislation and policy uncertainty and inadequate risk-adjusted returns. Originality/value Emphasis should be made on eradicating corruption and non-transparent financial management to improve municipal creditworthiness and amending and implementing much improved legislation and foreign inclusion. Additionally, financial models to complement the existing mechanisms of financing water infrastructure projects should be sought and used. Complete eradication of infrastructure challenges envisages to reduce fiscal deficits, improve service delivery and enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the economy.

Purpose-Targets set out by state institutions, with respect to supplying water to deprived communities, seem to be idealistic and not realistic. Study envisioned to assess challenges of financing water infrastructure projects, and determines the role of the state towards infrastructure development by holistically planning and engaging with the private sector. Design/Methodology/Approach-The study adopted a quantitative approach, whereby a questionnaire survey was conducted among different stakeholders involved in water infrastructure projects in South Africa. Data gathered were analysed using percentages, mean item score and standard deviation. Findings-The study revealed that most challenges affecting the success of the financing of water infrastructure projects in South Africa are corruption, hostility towards private participation, cost recovery constraints, high fiscal deficits by state government, unreliable planning and procurement processes, and a rapid increasing number of municipalities that lack technical and administrative capacity to plan implement, operate and maintain water assets. Research Limitations/Implications-This research paper investigates projects' financing challenges with a broad inspection on the role of the public sector. The apparent role of the international structures such as OECD, IMF and World Bank had no influence in the study. From the findings, it is clear that the central government and state institutions lack the necessary resources to accelerate infrastructure development, water infrastructure in particular. The study, thus, recommends a complete expansion and development of state capacity as well as improved collaborations with the private sector to drive the success delivery of services to the public. Originality/Value-Improved and flexible regulations and legislative guidelines are required to ensure that both sectors fulfil their side of the bargain, with an ultimate goal of meeting the predetermined targets of supplying adequate water to the deprived communities.

Project delivery systems play a significant role for the success of public urban infrastructure projects. Without clear and precise procurement selection techniques projects continue to contribute negatively towards infrastructure development. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine effective groupings of construction procurement systems for public urban infrastructure projects in South Africa. The data used in the study was derived from primary and secondary sources. Out of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 91 questionnaires were usable, representing 61% response rate. Data from the survey was analysed using exploratory factor analysis. Findings from the data analysis revealed that characteristics of traditional procurement system, develop and construct, management contracting and construction management should be incorporated for public urban infrastructure projects in South Africa. The study recommended that traditional procurement system, develop and construct, management contracting, construction management and project management continue to be utilised for public urban infrastructure projects. However, projects continue to fail as a result of these project delivery systems, therefore the study recommends that processes used to select project delivery systems should be clearly stipulated and dissected before the commencement of any project. Attention should be given to characteristics of different public urban infrastructure projects, as well as the forms of contracts incorporated.

Infrastructure plays a crucial role in the economic growth and development of any country; therefore, it is important to ensure adequate investments for the delivery of infrastructure services. This paper assessed factors affecting the development of sustainable infrastructure in South Africa. The identified factors can be utilised by government as reference to enhance the delivery of sustainable infrastructure. To achieve the objective of the study, Quantitative data was collected. The study used a sample size of 57 out of the 65 questionnaires (a response rate of 87.7%) which were answered by professionals in the built environment viz. Architects, Property Developers, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers, Construction and Project Managers. The data collected was then analysed and interpreted using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer software to provide mean item scores, standard deviations and Cronbach’s alpha. Given the explored factors which affect the delivery of sustainable infrastructure, the results have established that due to developers habit of building to maximise profit only, not for end-users’ comfort and the initial high cost required to develop sustainable infrastructure were the major factors that affect the delivery of sustainable infrastructure. It is recommended that the government develop clear, stable and credible policies that will attract investors who will be committed to inject financial resources into infrastructure development and alter the existing building regulations to complement the sustainable development goals.