public works
[/ˈpʌblɪk wɜːrks/]
nounpl: public works
obras públicas
1. Construction projects and infrastructure improvements built and funded by the government for public use and benefit
The government allocated billions for public works including roads, bridges, and water systems.
O governo alocou bilhões para obras públicas, incluindo estradas, pontes e sistemas de água.
2. Employment programs sponsored by government to build or repair public infrastructure during economic downturns
During the Depression, public works programs provided jobs for millions of unemployed workers.
Durante a Grande Depressão, programas de obras públicas forneceram empregos para milhões de desempregados.
3. The department or government agency responsible for maintaining public infrastructure
Contact the Department of Public Works to report a pothole in the street.
Entre em contato com o Departamento de Obras Públicas para denunciar um buraco na rua.
In Brazil and the USA, public works represent a crucial government function. In the US context, public works programs are historically significant (New Deal's WPA). In Brazil, 'obras públicas' are frequently discussed in political discourse regarding urban infrastructure development, especially in major cities. The term carries importance in discussions of economic stimulus and urban modernization.
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