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Session Submission Summary

Greening Infrastructure Studies

Sat, September 7, 8:00 to 9:30am, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Floor: Four, Nottoway

Abstract

Over the past decade, green infrastructure (GI), broadly defined as natural, semi-natural and engineered biological features that perform multiple ecosystem services, have emerged as a favored intervention within cities struggling to resolve issues related to stormwater, pollution, and degraded environmental quality. By mimicking natural functions, GI moves cities away from grey- or strictly engineered techniques of water conveyance. These installations, include, but not limited to, bioswales, pervious pavements, and green roofs, are touted by planners and engineers as the carriers of multiple ecological, health, and social benefits.
Yet, as this new planning priority travels, cities grapple with familiar infrastructural quandaries related to maintenance, repair, and civic interruptions that emerge upon the introduction of new socio-spatial technologies. Additionally, long held professional identities are challenged as the management of stormwater becomes a community, rather than strictly an engineering, concern. This panel, in alliance with the conference theme, looks to explore in what ways GI challenges current disciplinary methodologies of studying infrastructure. Additionally, we look to understand what elements of inquiry might remain the same. Does GI represent an innovation within infrastructural life or is it – in the words of the Talking Heads, “the same as it ever was”?
This panel seeks to gather together interdisciplinary perspectives related to green infrastructure. We aim to begin to create a scholarly community of those currently studying GI within STS and related fields to craft new methodologies, raise critiques, find commonality amongst our work.

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