Work

Infrastructuration and spatial governance: Why Google is not just another service provider

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In an era of platform governance and artificial intelligence, it is important to consider the social and political impacts of technology multinational power. In this piece, Google, as a platform and as an infrastructure, is explored in relation to spatial governance. The term infrastructuration (developed by Paul Edwards) is used to explore how the implementation of urban services is accompanied by the generation of norms, codes, and processes that are deeply political and potentially resistant to change, once embedded. The argument is made that this impact is systemic in the creation of a socio-technical dynamic that could solidify into structural inertia.

Source: Urban Studies

DOI: 10.1177/00420980251359476

Author: Nancy Odendaal

Institutions: University of Cape Town, University of Basel

Language: English

Topic: Smart Cities and Technologies

Subfield: Media Technology

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900