The debate on urban sustainability has now been on the research agenda for a number of years. One element that has, however, been undertheorized and empirically understudied is the crucial importance of networked urban infrastructures for the ecological sustainability of cities. These infrastructures mediate resource flows and vitally shape environmental practices and sociotechnical innovation in cities. It is thus argued that we need adequate conceptual approaches which reflect the complex interdependencies between cities, networked infrastructures, and urban ecologies and which broaden our understanding of the ways we can develop, govern, and renew our infrastructures in cities in a sustainable way. Scrutinizing the relevant debates both in technology studies and in urban studies, the author reveals that none of the theoretical approaches discussed seems entirely suitable for conceptualizing these interdependencies and the requirements for the sustainable redesign of urban infrastructures. The author shows, however, how urban and technology studies might inspire, complement, and benefit each other in conceptualizing the urban political ecology of networked infrastructures. Combining elements of the different analytical approaches, it is argued, could create new opportunities for the empirical study of infrastructures.

No abstract

Energy systems in Germany and in all western Introduction: urban and regional governance and energy infrastructuresUtility networks -such as energy, water, sanitation, transport and telecommunication systems -support the economic, social and environmental performance of cities and regions. They are the basic infrastructure grids that provide the fundamental conduits through which modern cities and regions operate (Marvin et al. , 1999: 93). Among the most important utility sectors are electricity, gas and district heating networks. These energy networks are the prerequisite for urban and regional sustainability in three ways. Firstly, energy infrastructures have become increasingly critical for the functioning of nearly all production, services and infrastructure sectors, as well as for politics, public health and even individual social practices. The spectacular power blackouts in North America and Europe have dramatically demonstrated that failure of these systems is one Thanks to Sabine Hofmeister, Ulrike von Schlippenbach, Bernhard Truffer, Timothy Moss and two anonymous referees for their critical and constructive comments on an earlier version of this article.

No abstract

No abstract