3D-Printed Infrastructure

From houses to solar farms and to the Moon, 3D printing is vastly expanding in scope. This includes the use of a variety of materials, such as a stainless-steel pedestrian bridge installed in Amsterdam (though it was removed in 2023 when its two-year permit expired).

Experiments with 3D-printed facilities demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of this technology include smart infrastructure in Cambridge, England; public toilets in Dubbo, Australia; and a school in Lviv, Ukraine. 3D printing could prove to be an attractive solution to multiple challenges the U.S. is currently facing, from the housing crisis to the infrastructure crisis. It may also resolve lingering supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and labor shortages. Planners should be aware of further developments in the 3D-printing sector and consider whether this technology could be of use in their communities.