Designing Complex Systems A Contradiction in Terms

Networked infrastructures are complex socio-technical systems. The complexity shows in the physical networks, in the actor networks, and in their combination. This paper addresses the question how these systems should be designed. For the physical networks as well as the actor networks, design processes exist that could be applied separately. However, for these integrated networks an integrated approach is proposed. Three cases studies of designs are discussed concerning a district heating system, a gas network and a seaport development. The studies lead to the conclusion that an integrated socio-technical complex system design process must be applied.