IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - June 2021 - 21

Figure 1. Pont du Gard aquaduct in 1804 by
Charles-Louis Cler´isseau.
of power generation, as well as serving as reminders
of a now disdained modernist, machine-age esthetic. "
This is a good diagnosis of the problem: high voltage
power lines appear as an imposition on the landscape,
degrading skylines with their unpainted latticeworks of
industrial gray steel. They are also illegible and mute,
disclosing little of their purpose or history. They have
a spartan industrial appearance, with few concessions
to beauty and little attempt to harmonize visually with
the communities they serve. Their looming presence is
alienating: these grim towers symbolize technocracy
and over-centralization, evoking remote planners to
draw very straight lines on maps.
Humane infrastructure can enhance the landscape,
like a scenic canal, a heritage railway line, or a quiet bridleway.
These networks crisscross open space, provide
local landmarks, and provoke a sense of connection and
possibility. Canal bridges and railway stations were often
built for elegance and harmony with the landscape, and
this is why they are widely appreciated today. Network
infrastructure can simultaneously enhance the sense of
both the reassuring " here " and the inviting " there " : while
a quaint railway station is a landmark in its own right,
its tracks lead invitingly off to other places, stations, and
junctions. Likewise, locks, bridges and mileposts (as in
Figure 5) punctuate and localize canal networks, which
were once just functional transport infrastructure but are
now charming public amenities.
Another encouraging example is the iconic London
Tube map, which is now a colorful emblem for
that city and is celebrated on clothes, homewares,
and many kinds of merchandise. The wide appeal
of such diagrams means that normal people can
connect emotionally with network infrastructures
(see [4] for an attempt to represent a power system
this way) Legible networks invite exploration
and curiosity: think of a hedge maze or a children's
puzzle. National grids should be able to win some
affection of this type.
Figure 2. Segovia Aqueduct in 1824 by Edward
Hawke Locker.
National distinctiveness: the power of
consistent form and color
The red post boxes of the United Kingdom are a
familiar emblem of that country and often feature in
the photos that tourists take on their visits there. This
shows the power of embracing a strong design vision
and sticking with it: the striking red shade and distinctive
shape create a memorable motif on streets
Figure 3.Two regional emblems,
showcasing public infrastructure of
different eras. (a) Emblem of North
Korean, which depicts the Sup'ung
hydroelectric dam and its attending
high voltage transmission tower. Drawn
by Sshu94 CC-BY-SA 4.0. (b) Emblem of
the Province of Segovia in Spain, which
includes the famous Roman aquaduct.
Drawn by Heralder CC-BY-SA 4.0.
June 2021
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IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - June 2021

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