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The Handbook of Infrastructure Communication.

Presents groundbreaking approaches for bridging engineering expertise and human-centered communication in infrastructure systems Infrastructure systems sustain daily life yet are often overlooked until they fail, at which point communication gaps can hinder effective responses and solutions.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Stephens, Keri K.
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Newark : John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2026.
Edition:1st ed.
Series:Handbooks in Communication and Media Series.
Subjects:
Mass media and culture.
Digital communications.
Electronic books.
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book
Table of Contents:
  • Cover
  • Series Page
  • Title Page
  • Copyright Page
  • Contents
  • List of Contributors
  • Editor Bios
  • PART 1 Frameworks, Foundations, and Stakeholders in Infrastructure Communication
  • Chapter 1 Changing Nature of Communicating Around Infrastructure
  • The Essential but Invisible Nature of Infrastructure
  • The Communication-Infrastructure Connection
  • Why This Handbook Now?
  • Handbook Structure and Navigation
  • PART I: Frameworks, Foundations, and Stakeholders in Infrastructure Communication
  • PART II: Essential Infrastructure in the Built Environment: Systems and Society
  • PART III: Digital Communication Ecosystems: Networks, Data, and Intelligence
  • PART IV: Infrastructure in Society: Social Networks and Community Engagement
  • PART V: Communicating Complex Infrastructure: Strategies Across Formats and Cultures
  • PART VI: Infrastructure in Crisis: Emergency Communication and Resilience Strategies
  • The Value of Persevering Through Challenges
  • References
  • Chapter 2 Understanding Stakeholders Involved in the Communicating About Infrastructure Space
  • Making the Case for Engaging Stakeholders
  • Who are the Stakeholders?
  • Stakeholder Relationship Networks
  • Planning for Engagement: Frameworks, Strategies, and Tools
  • Navigating Contested Knowledge
  • Levels of Engagement
  • References
  • Chapter 3 Using Mixed Methods to Explore Socio-Technical Infrastructure Systems
  • Introduction
  • Quantitative Methods for Exploring Socio-Technical Infrastructure
  • Qualitative Methods for Exploring Socio-Technical Infrastructure
  • Content Analysis
  • Thematic Analysis
  • Grounded Theory Through Constant Comparison Analysis
  • Mixed-Method Approaches
  • Primary Mixed-Method Designs
  • Challenges of and Opportunities for Expanding Mixed Methods in STIS
  • References.
  • Chapter 4 Federal Infrastructure Investment: Bridging Policy and Engineering Practice
  • Introduction
  • How Infrastructure Investment Occurs at the Federal Level
  • The Role of Engineers, Researchers, and Communities in Federal Investment
  • Pathway 1: Educating an Engineering Workforce in Federal Process and Systems
  • Pathway 2: Encourage Policy Advocacy in Engineering Spaces
  • Pathway 3: Translating Infrastructure Research into Federal Decision-Making
  • Conclusions
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Chapter 5 Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Infrastructure Communication and Social Disparities
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Perspectives
  • Infrastructure Communication as Vital Professional Skill
  • Scale Matters for Infrastructure Communication
  • Data Translation and Visualization
  • Internet-of-Things and Community Responsiveness
  • Organizational Communication Perspectives
  • Infrastructure Communication as Environmental Management Expertise
  • Adoption of New Workplace Technologies
  • Disaster and Crisis Management Perspectives
  • Disaster Warnings and Preparedness
  • Crisis Event Responses
  • Postcrisis Recovery and Resilience
  • Critiquing Dominant Practices of Infrastructure Communication for Disasters
  • Grassroots Development Perspectives
  • Local Agency and Communication Infrastructure
  • Local Resistance to Top-Down Infrastructure
  • Local Organizing for Grassroots Infrastructure
  • Discussion
  • References
  • Chapter 6 Making Justice REAL: Bringing Infrastructure Front and Center
  • Introduction
  • REAL Framework
  • Representativeness and Distributive Justice
  • Empathy and Recognition Justice
  • Accessibility and Procedural Justice
  • Learning and Restorative Justice
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • PART II Essential Infrastructure in the Built Environment: Systems and Society :.
  • Chapter 7 Interconnected Energy Systems and Communications Infrastructure
  • Energy and Power Infrastructure Systems
  • Energy Fundamentals
  • Overview of the Power Sector
  • Power and Communications Systems Interdependence
  • Critical Infrastructures and Systems Interdependencies
  • Power System Reliability
  • Interdependencies Highlighted by Disasters
  • Challenges and Opportunities to Strengthen Power and Communication Interdependencies
  • Case of Winter Storm Uri in Texas
  • Enhancing Resilience in the Power Sector
  • Case of Public Safety Power Shutoffs in California
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Chapter 8 Transportation Infrastructure
  • Introduction
  • Communication Needs and Challenges
  • Travel Condition Information
  • Safety Campaigns
  • Special and Emergency Events
  • Literature Review
  • Travel Conditions
  • Safety Campaigns
  • Special and Emergency Events
  • Future Research Directions
  • Gaps in Current Research
  • Emerging Technologies
  • References
  • Chapter 9 Public Involvement in Transportation Planning
  • Introduction
  • The Historical Challenge of Public Involvement
  • Communicative Nature of Public Involvement in the Transportation Field
  • Importance of Public Involvement in Transportation Projects
  • Communication is at the Core of Public Involvement
  • A Turning Point for TxDOT's Approach to Public Involvement
  • Paradigm Shift in TxDOT's Approach to Public Involvement
  • Establishment of TxDOT's Public Involvement Section
  • TxDOT's Strategic Internal Planning for Public Involvement Research
  • TxDOT's Strategic Public Engagement Guidance Initiative
  • Future Directions for Public Involvement Research
  • References
  • Chapter 10 Is My Water Safe to Drink?
  • Introduction
  • Historical Water Quality Concerns
  • Establishing Water Quality Legislation
  • Communicating Regulatory Complexities
  • Developing New Regulations.
  • Improving Community EHL and Risk Assessment
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
  • Chapter 11 Indigenous Water Infrastructure : Lessons from Alaska Native Communities
  • Framework for Research and Engineering Projects inAlaska Native Communities
  • Overview of Alaska Native Governance
  • Approval Process for WASH Research in Alaska
  • Case Study on WASH Implementation in Alaska Native Communities: Processes, Challenges, and Insights
  • Foundation and Planning: Building Trust and Addressing Drinking Water Concerns
  • Approvals: Community and Institutional Approvals
  • Implementation
  • Data Sharing and Dissemination
  • Empowerment
  • Conclusion: Challenges and Recommendations
  • References
  • Chapter 12 Water Reuse Infrastructure
  • Introduction
  • Types of Communication Activities Used For Water Reuse Projects
  • Approaches to Communication and Information Sharing
  • Moving Beyond Informing to Engagement
  • Key Communication Challenges for Water Reuse
  • Future of Communication and Engagement for Water Reuse
  • References
  • Chapter 13 Colonias with a Lack of Infrastructure
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review
  • Definitions
  • Historical Context of Colonias Development
  • Living Conditions and Health Impacts
  • Flooding Challenges and Its Consequences
  • A Study of Colonias in the Rio Grande Valley
  • Data and Method
  • The Total Count of Colonias in the RGV
  • Susceptibility of Colonias to Public Health Hazards
  • Transformations of Colonia Vulnerability to Public Health Hazards
  • Extent of Community Resilience in the Colonias
  • Colonias Affected by Flooding
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Key Communication Challenges
  • Culturally Tailored Messaging
  • Crisis Communication for Disaster Preparedness
  • Colonias Facing Elevated Health Risks
  • Future Research Directions
  • References.
  • PART III Digital Communication Ecosystems: Networks, Data, and Intelligence:
  • Chapter 14 The Digital Backbone: Modern Communication Infrastructure's Role in Society
  • Introduction
  • Investigating Communication Infrastructure
  • Communication Infrastructure as a Utility?
  • Infrastructure and Democratic Values
  • Building on the Past
  • Digital Infrastructure
  • The Organization of Digital Infrastructure
  • Digital Technologies and Social Values
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Chapter 15 Connecting Humanity from Submarine Cables to Starlink: How to Communicate About the Digital Infrastructures of the Internet
  • Introduction
  • Defining Infrastructures of Digital Communication
  • Digital Communications Through an Infrastructural Lens
  • Earth
  • The Physical Infrastructure of Digital Communication
  • Communicating the Planetary Impacts of Infrastructure
  • Repair and the Earth Layer
  • Cloud
  • Materialities of the Cloud Layer
  • Power Imbalances of Cloud Infrastructures
  • Communicating for Equity and Repair
  • Interface
  • Access by Interface
  • Designing Interfaces for Equity
  • Communicating for Change
  • User
  • People Using Infrastructure
  • Users as Agents of Change
  • Equitable Outcomes for Users
  • Understanding the Human Experience of Infrastructure
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Chapter 16 CyberinfrastructureManaging and Transforming Big Data for Infrastructure Development
  • Cyberinfrastructure
  • Defining Cyberinfrastructure
  • The Technical
  • The Data
  • The Social
  • Cyberinfrastructure's Historical Development
  • Infrastructure Communication
  • Communication Challenges Within Cyberinfrastructure
  • Solutions CI Offers Other Infrastructures
  • Future of Cyberinfrastructure
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
  • Chapter 17 Artificial Intelligence Supporting Infrastructure Decisions
  • AI Models.