Scotland is a nation defined by ambition, resilience, and possibility. Even in the face of global economic uncertainty, this government has continued to invest in the things that matter most—transforming places, strengthening public services, and driving a fair transition to a net zero economy.
However, Scotland’s infrastructure must continue to evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of the next decade. It must enable sustainable economic growth, reduce emissions, and withstand the growing impacts of climate change—from flooding to extreme weather—through resilient design and adaptation. Long-term trends shape the demand for different types of infrastructure, and the mix of investment will change as our economy and society evolve. As our population ages and shifts geographically, we must adapt to ensure equitable access to services across all regions.
Scotland’s Infrastructure Strategy will set out a 10-year framework (2027-2037) to guide infrastructure planning, investment, and delivery across the country. It is designed to ensure decisions are strategic, place-based, and outcome focused, supporting inclusive economic growth, enabling the transition to net zero, and strengthening national resilience in the face of demographic, environmental, and economic change.
The strategy provides the context for future Spending Reviews and Budget decisions. It is underpinned by robust governance principles and a common investment hierarchy that prioritises making best use of existing assets before considering new infrastructure.
The three long-term, infrastructure-related outcomes that were suggested by the ICfS support the wider outcomes of the Scottish Government:
- enabling net zero and environmental sustainability;
- driving economic growth; and
- building resilient and sustainable places
To deliver these outcomes, the strategy is structured around three enablers:
- public assets – ensuring Scotland’s infrastructure estate is well-managed, maintained, and aligned with modern service delivery models;
- place-making – embedding local priorities and spatial planning into infrastructure decisions, in line with the Place Principle and National Planning Framework 4; and
- private investment – creating the conditions to attract and unlock private capital to complement public funding and accelerate delivery.
The enablers are the crucial levers to deliver the Strategy’s long-term outcomes.
