Infrastructure Interdependencies: Opportunities from Complexity
Publication: Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 26, Issue 4
Abstract
Infrastructure networks, such as those for energy, transportation, and telecommunications, perform key functions for society. Although such systems have largely been developed and managed in isolation, infrastructure now functions as a system of systems, exhibiting complex interdependencies that can leave critical functions vulnerable to cascade failure. Consequently, research efforts and management strategies have focused on risks and negative aspects of complexity. This paper explores how interdependencies can be seen positively, representing opportunities to increase organizational resilience and sustainability. A typology is presented for classifying positive interdependencies, drawing on fundamental principles in ecology and validated using case studies. Understanding opportunities that arise from interdependency will enable better understanding and management of infrastructure complexity, which in turn will allow the use of such complexity to the advantage of society. Integrative thinking is necessary not only for mitigating risk but also for identifying innovations to make systems and organizations more sustainable and resilient.
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Data Availability Statement
No data, models, or code were generated or used during this study.
Acknowledgments
The authors are very grateful to Dr. Mariale Moreno and Dr. Paul Hutchings of Cranfield University, and Professor Enrico Motta of the Open University, for their consultation and collaboration on selected case studies explored in this paper. This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for project International Centre for Infrastructure Futures (ICIF), ref EP/K012347/1. Also, Author S. J. is also supported by EPSRC and Natural Environmental Research Council through Grant Nos. EP/R007497/1 and EP/R007497/2, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) through Grant No. 51761135013, and author L. V. is supported by EPSRC Grant No. EP/N010019/1.
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Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 26 • Issue 4 • December 2020
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© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 22, 2018
Accepted: Jun 4, 2020
Published online: Jul 21, 2020
Published in print: Dec 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Dec 21, 2020
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