Transforming technological regimes for sustainable development: A role for alternative technology niches?

Abstract

Research into technology and sustainable development has shifted upwards recently, from the level of individual artefacts to entire technological regimes. New theory into the public management of regime transformation privileges a role for innovative niches that diverge from the incumbent, mainstream regime and meet human needs in environmentally sustainable ways. However, the theory becomes sketchy on strategies for supporting and harnessing these diverse niches. This paper discusses some of the challenges confronting a theory of regime transformation, and how historical research into alternative technology may contribute.

Author notes

The author wishes to thank a number of colleagues, with whom discussions have helped form the ideas presented here. Frans Berkhout, Andy Stirling and others at SPRU have provided me with critical and stimulating reflection, as have René Kemp at the University of Maastricht and Staffan Jacobsson at Chalmers University.