Urban infrastructure is not a tree

Integrating and decentralizing urban infrastructure systems

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21247853
AutoresSybil Derrible (0000-0002-2939-6016, University of Illinois Chicago, autor de correspondencia)
Año2017
Volumen44
Número3
Páginas553-569
Fecha de publicación2017-05-01
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaEnvironment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2399-8083 • E-ISSN: 2399-8091
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0265813516647063
OpenAlexW2380207918
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas37

In his original 1965 article, Christopher Alexander argued that master planned cities ultimately failed because the designs elaborated followed a tree structure as opposed to a more desirable semilattice structure present in organic cities. In this article, I argue that a similar claim can be made with urban infrastructure systems planning. As cities expanded and became increasingly complex in the 20th century, the responsibility to plan and design urban infrastructure was distributed to separate agencies that seldom communicate and coordinate with one another. In the global context to make cities more sustainable and resilient, a better integration of infrastructure systems may hold much potential. After recalling Alexander’s main concepts, I examine how current infrastructure systems are naturally interdependent. I then discuss the role of integration, by notably proposing an integration-decentralization matrix, with four quadrants, illustrated by using practical examples. The quadrants are current paradigm, siloed distribution, localized integration, and integrated decentralization. Overall, a better integration of urban infrastructure can offer significant benefits to a city, and it may be time to seriously revisit our current urban infrastructure systems planning practice

Business · Civil engineering · Decentralization · Environmental planning · Geography · Interdependence · Political science · Regional science · Urban planning · Engineering · Infrastructure Resilience and Vulnerability Analysis · Smart Cities and Technologies · Urban Design and Spatial Analysis

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