Careful Infrastructures: Public-Common Partnerships for a City that Cares

This report was commissioned by the United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) network to contribute to their latest research project into cities of care. The report argues for the development of careful infrastructures: socio-technical systems that incorporate both physical assets (the what) and social relationships (the who) with a focus on questions of how we might live well. It provides the example of Public-Common Partnerships (PCPs) as one example of a careful infrastructure. Local governments can play a leadership role in their development through establishing Careful Infrastructure Commissions (CICs). The report outlines five priorities for their work: Mapping the status of assets; Developing clear understanding and guidance for asset transfers; Defining and innovating with existing corporate models; Understanding the relevant technical and social base; Exploring different approaches to social evaluation. The report uses the example of the pharmaceutical industry to explore the potential for PCPs but emphasises the applicability of the model in a wide range of sectors.

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