Flourishing systems: re-envisioning infrastructure as a platform for human flourishing

Abstract

This paper describes how infrastructure should be considered a system of systems and its main purpose should be human flourishing. With this mindset, the paper underlines the importance of envisioning and managing infrastructure accordingly. We have created an amazing, complex machine on which we wholly depend. Without it, our lives would be immeasurably worse. Society would not survive. That machine is infrastructure – our built environment. However, we do not appreciate the relationship between the machine and our well-being. Therefore, we do not set objectives in terms of outcomes for people and society. Furthermore, although we understand each part of the machine, we do not manage it as a whole. Therefore, we do not know how to address its systemic vulnerabilities or make it work better. If we envision, plan and manage infrastructure differently, we can make it what it should truly be: a platform for human flourishing. This paper advocates a vision for infrastructure that is, firstly, people focused – recognising the fundamental role of infrastructure in the social, economic and environmental outcomes that determine the quality of people’s lives – and, secondly, systems based – recognising infrastructure as a complex, interconnected system of systems that must deliver continuous service to society. It articulates how the industry should re-envision itself to unlock greater value for people, from the systems.

A Framework for Using Data as an Engineering Tool for Sustainable Cyber-Physical Systems

“…This study aims to provide a methodological and systemic way to use data as an engineering tool through digital twins for the purpose of improving sustainability in cyber-physical systems. Several important discussions are beyond the scope of this particular article, including: the different types of digital twins [16]; challenges related to the data [41]; the role of cyber-physical systems and smart infrastructure [17] for society; and various technologies to enable digital twin implementation and integration [42]- [46].…”

“…As many stated before [17], [30], infrastructure and cities should focus on citizens and include better quality of life, economic stability, environmentally-conscious sustainability, inclusivity, transparency, engagement and more. The aim here is to create an ecosystem that responds to the needs of citizens, aids better resource management, connects different stakeholders for better interoperability and decision-making while considering both the needs of today and of generations to come.…”

“…This study builds on the idea of infrastructure as a system of systems with its main purpose to enable human flourishing [17]. Therefore, this section will focus on the earlier studies that see infrastructure as an integrated system of systems and underline its value to improve sustainability across the economy, the environment and society and provide a platform for human flourishing.…”

Does historical data still count? Exploring the applicability of smart building applications in the post-pandemic period

“…As stated in Schooling et al (2020), the fundamental purpose of the wider built environment and the infrastructure embedded is to provide a platform for human flourishing, to better serve people and society. The people-focused view is shared among buildings as well.…”

Building-as-a-Service: Theoretical Foundations and Conceptual Framework

“…The transformational impact of digital twins is built on their ability to communicate with other forms of digital twins [72], which allows them to extract greater value from the built environment [73]. This can be accomplished by connecting digital twins of the built environment to other digital twins, such as machine and equipment digital twins and meteorological digital twins [74].…”