More than ’Nature’

The Arctic is often associated with pristinewilderness, natural resources, and climate change. Yetsettlements and infrastructure, which have received lessattention, play a significant role in Arctic environments.Extractive industries, military activities, and scientificundertakings have driven the expansion of infrastructures.This book presents current research on Northern towns andArctic and Subarctic infrastructure. It examines historicaldevelopments, the shaping of environments, sustainability,future planning, and associated living conditions, mainlyfrom a social science perspective.Doris Friedrich is a Senior Fellow at theArctic Institute and a PhD student at the University ofVienna, focusing on Arctic human-environment relations.Markus Hirnsperger holds an MA and PhD in Social andCultural Anthropology and Slavic Studies. His researchinterests include history and nationalism.Stefan Bauer works as storage manager at the WeltmuseumWien. His research (MA) focused on Indigenous minorities inRussia (culture, economy, and politics).

The Arctic is often associated with pristinewilderness, natural resources, and climate change. Yetsettlements and infrastructure, which have received lessattention, play a significant role in Arctic environments.Extractive industries, military activities, and scientificundertakings have driven the expansion of infrastructures.This book presents current research on Northern towns andArctic and Subarctic infrastructure. It examines historicaldevelopments, the shaping of environments, sustainability,future planning, and associated living conditions, mainlyfrom a social science perspective.Doris Friedrich is a Senior Fellow at theArctic Institute and a PhD student at the University ofVienna, focusing on Arctic human-environment relations.Markus Hirnsperger holds an MA and PhD in Social andCultural Anthropology and Slavic Studies. His researchinterests include history and nationalism.Stefan Bauer works as storage manager at the WeltmuseumWien. His research (MA) focused on Indigenous minorities inRussia (culture, economy, and politics).