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Under construction: material integration of the Netherlands 1800–2000

2004; Routledge; Volume: 20; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/0734151042000287970

1477-2620

G.P.J. Verbong, Erik van der Vleuten,

International Relations and Foreign Policy

Abstract This article investigates the material integration in the Netherlands. Section 1 maps the proliferation of network technologies during the last two centuries. Sections 2 and 3 scrutinize the complex dynamics of network development for selected cases. The case of the electricity supply network reveals how institutional frameworks stabilized network development despite conflicts and contingencies, and how competing (gas supply) networks affected network development. The cases of the Rotterdam harbour, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the city address innovation and professonalization processes at the level of network nodes, which tie different networks together and heavily affect overall network morphologies and flows. Section 4 addresses the ‘vulnerability paradox’ as a specific characteristic of the networked nation. Keywords: InfrastructureNetwork TechnologyInnovation JunctionInterface TechnologyElectricity Supply SystemRotterdam Harbour Notes Geert Verbong is Associate Professor at the Department for History, Philosophy and Technology Studies, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, PO Box 513, NL‐5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Email: g.p.j.verbong@tm.tue.nl Erik van der Vleuten is Assistant Professor also at the Department for History, Philosophy and Technology Studies, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven. Email: e.b.a.v.d.vleuten@tm.tue.nl This point was first made in CitationKaijser, ‘From Local Networks.’ CitationKaijser, I fädrens spår systematically juxtaposes all ‘infrasystems’ in Swedish society. CitationHughes, American Genesis; CitationHughes, Rescuing Prometheus; and CitationGras, Les macro‐systèmes techniques treat multiple large technical systems. We follow the notion of ‘unification’ or ‘integration’ of Dutch society introduced in CitationKnippenberg and De Pater, De eenwording. Compare CitationVan der Vleuten, ‘De materiële eenwording.’ CitationVan de Woud, Het lege land. Ministry of VROM, Fifth National Policy Document. CitationFilarski, Kanalen. In English see CitationFremdling, ‘The Dutch Transportation System.’ CitationVan Sas, ‘Nederland.’ For an extensive treatment and additional references see CitationVan der Vleuten, ‘De materiële eenwording’ and CitationVan der Vleuten, ‘Infrastructuur.’ CitationDisco, ‘Waterstaat.’ Disco and Van der Vleuten, this issue. This characterization is contested. CitationFremdling, ‘The Dutch Transportation System.’ CitationSchot, ‘Transport.’ CitationDe Wit, ‘Telegrafie’ and CitationDe Wit, ‘Communicatie.’ CitationVerbong, ‘Energie.’ CitationCBS, Vijfenegentig jaren statistiek, 12. For a summary, see Ministry of VROM, Fifth National Policy Document, Chapter 2. CitationHughes, Networks of Power. CitationHughes, ‘The Evolution.’ Evolutionary economists speak of ‘path dependency’ or ‘lock‐in’. A classic publication is David, ‘Clio’. CitationThue, ‘Electricity Rules’; CitationKaijser, ‘The Helping Hand.’ CitationVan der Vleuten, ‘Electrifying Denmark.’ CitationHesselmans en Verbong, ‘Binnen provinciale grenzen.’ CitationVan Empelen, ‘Entwicklung’; CitationVerbong, ‘Dutch Power Relations’; CitationVan der Vleuten, ‘Constructing.’ CitationVerbong, ‘Dutch Power Relations.’ For comparable developments in the USA, see CitationHirsch, Power Loss. This point was first made for the Swedish case in CitationKaijser, I fädrens spår. CitationVan Overbeeke, ‘Kachels, Geisers en Fornuizen,’ 73–96. CitationCorreljé and Verbong, ‘The Transition.’ Castells, The Information Age 1, 413 sees ‘hubs’ as mere exchangers facilitating smooth interaction, while ‘nodes’ constitute functional and power gravity points in networks. CitationKaijser, I fädrens spår, chapter 4. Castells, The Information Age 1, 413. The concept of innovation junction is introduced in CitationSchot et al., ‘Methoden’; see also CitationDe Wit et al ., ‘Innovation Junctions.’ CitationVan Driel and Schot, ‘Ontstaan gemechaniseerde massagoedhaven,’ 77–80. CitationHughes, ‘The Evolution.’ CitationVan Driel and Schot, ‘Ontstaan gemechaniseerde massagoedhaven,’ 94–5. CitationVan Driel and Schot, ‘Radical Innovation.’ CitationVan Lente, ‘Machines.’ CitationVan Driel and Schot,’Indirecte overslag,’ 114–15. CitationVan Driel, ‘Co‐operation.’ Hosting some 160 million people in a radius of 500 km, the Rotterdam harbour was the worlds largest for some decades—in 1976, doubling the tonnage passing through the second largest harbour in Kobe, Japan. CitationVan der Vleuten, ‘De materiële eenwording.’ CitationDierickx et al ., ‘Van uithoek tot knooppunt,’ 134–6. CitationTarr and Dupuy, Technology. CitationVan den Boogaard, ‘Innovatie op locatie,’ 95–100. Cited in CitationVan den Boogaard, ‘Innovatie op locatie,’ 96. Our translation. CitationVan den Bogaard, ‘Geplande stad,’ 58–9. Cited in CitationVan den Boogaard, ‘Innovatie op locatie,’ 98. Our translation. CitationVan der Ham, Heersen en beheersen, 281–99. CitationHughes, Rescuing Prometheus. CitationVan der Vleuten, ‘De materiële eenwording.’ CitationCabinet, Nota Ruimte. Quote in English from the VROM Ministry’s website www.vrom.nl, accessed 25 July 2004. CitationSteetskamp, Stroomloos, 10–11. Compare Van der Vleuten and Disco, this issue. CitationVan Driel, ‘Indirecte overslag,’ 97–8. CitationSteetskamp, Stroomloos, 10–11. The value of the electricity not delivered only amounts to 1.6 million euro. CitationBijvoet, ‘Samenvatting.’ Additional informationNotes on contributorsGeert Verbong Footnote Geert Verbong is Associate Professor at the Department for History, Philosophy and Technology Studies, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, PO Box 513, NL‐5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Email: g.p.j.verbong@tm.tue.nl Erik van der Vleuten is Assistant Professor also at the Department for History, Philosophy and Technology Studies, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven. Email: e.b.a.v.d.vleuten@tm.tue.nl