Towards a multi-scalar perspective on transition trajectories

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.

• Author: Johan Miörner; Christian Binz
• 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
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2021.06.004
• 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