Johan Miörner
Associated Senior Lecturer
Towards a multi-scalar perspective on transition trajectories
Author
Summary, in English
This paper contributes to the geography of transitions literature by conceptualizing transition trajectories from a multi-scalar perspective. It combines an institutional perspective of transitions with conceptions of scale from human geography to derive a framework which explicates how (de-)institutionalization and re-scaling mechanisms condition different transition trajectories. Our conceptual elaborations show that the traditional local-global niche cumulation and upscaling trajectory can be complemented with two alternative trajectories that build on analytically different sequences of institutionalization and re-scaling processes. This is illustrated through a case study of technology standardization in the sanitation sector, more specifically the development of the ISO 30500 standard for non-sewered sanitation systems, which was initiated by a consortium led by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The observed transition trajectory departs from key assumptions of the local-global niche model, with actors engaging in direct institutionalization at the global level, followed by re-scaling global rationalities into different (sub-)national contexts.
Department/s
- CIRCLE
- Department of Human Geography
Publishing year
2021-09
Language
English
Pages
172-188
Publication/Series
Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
Volume
40
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Elsevier
Topic
- Human Geography
Keywords
- Geography of transitions
- Non-sewered sanitation
- Scale
- Socio-technical system
- Standardization
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 2210-4224