What Qualifies as Social Infrastructure? Examining the Role of a London Public Library as a Quintessential Example. | Patricia Aelbrecht (Cardiff University)
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Social infrastructure (SI) has become a critical focus in both academic and policy discussions, especially in the face of global crises such as pandemics, wars, economic recessions, and migration challenges. SI –comprising physical spaces, services, and institutions that foster social connection and community engagement– plays a key role in addressing issues like inequality, isolation, declining trust, and fractured social relationships. Libraries, as quintessential examples of SI, have taken on an even more significant role in this context. Once primarily centres of knowledge and information, libraries now offer a broader range of services that enhance social and environmental resilience, while promoting social integration, equity, health, and well-being.
This paper examines libraries in London as key examples of social infrastructure, highlighting their essential role in supporting community cohesion and well-being. Through a project partnership between academics, the Greater London Authority, and Camden Libraries, the study explores how Londoners use, experience, and value these vital social spaces. By bridging research and policy, this project aims to inform more effective SI policies and practices, enhancing our understanding of the social value and benefits that libraries offer in contemporary urban settings.
Patricia Aelbrecht is an Associate Professor in Urban Design, Planning, and Intercultural Studies and the Co-Founding Director of the Public Space Observatory Research Centre at Cardiff University's School of Geography and Planning. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of URBAN DESIGN International, a leading academic journal published by Palgrave, and the Co-Founding Editor-in-Chief of the forthcoming Public Space Research, Policy, and Practice, launching in 2026 with Taylor & Francis.
She holds a BA and MArch in Architecture from the Technical University of Lisbon and a master’s in International Planning, and a PhD in Urban Studies both from the Bartlett School of Planning and Geography Department, University College London. Her research sits at the intersection of planning, urban design, and human geography. She has published extensively on public space design and sociology, with a particular focus on informal social practices and the role of design and management in fostering social cohesion and intercultural dialogue. More recently, her work has expanded to research and policy development on social infrastructure and its role in driving social and environmental innovation and equity.