Title: Designing infrastructures using a complex systems perspective

Authors: Paulien M. Herder, Ivo Bouwmans, Gerard P.J. Dijkema, Rob M. Stikkelman, Margot P.C. Weijnen

Addresses: Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Energy & Industry Group, PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands. ' Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Energy & Industry Group, PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands. ' Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Energy & Industry Group, PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands. ' Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Energy & Industry Group, PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands. ' Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Energy & Industry Group, PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract: Networked infrastructures are complex socio-technical systems. Their complexity shows in the physical networks, in the actor networks, and the combination thereof. This paper addresses the question, |how should the design of these systems be undertaken?| Both for physical networks and for actor networks, design processes exist that can be applied separately. For integrated networks, however, an integrated approach is proposed. Three case studies are discussed concerning the design of a district heating system, a gas network and a seaport development, respectively. It is concluded that the integrated socio-technical complex system design process proposed has merit for networked infrastructures.

Keywords: complex systems; engineering design; networked infrastructures; physical networks; actor networks; systems engineering; infrastructure design; socio-technical systems; network integration; district heating systems; gas networks; sea port development.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2008.018775

Journal of Design Research, 2008 Vol.7 No.1, pp.17 - 34

Published online: 17 Jun 2008 *

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