Infrastructure systems can exist interdependently with one another either by design, necessity or evolution. There is
evidence that interdependencies can be the source of emergent benefits and hazards, and therefore there is value in
their identification and management. Achieving this requires collaboration and communication between infrastructure
stakeholders across all relevant sectors.
Recognising, developing and sharing multiple understandings of infrastructure interdependency and dependency will
facilitate a wide range of multi-disciplinary and cross-sectorial work and support productive stakeholder dialogues.
This paper therefore aims to initiate discussion around the nature of infrastructure interdependency and dependency
in order to establish the basis of a useful, coherent and complete conceptual taxonomy. It sets out an approach for
locating this taxonomy and language within a framework of commonplace stakeholder viewpoints.
The paper looks at the potential structural arrangements of infrastructure interdependencies before exploring the
qualitative ways in which the relationships can be characterised. This builds on the existing body of knowledge as
well as experience through case studies in developing an Interdependency Planning and Management Framework for
Infrastructure
