The article delves into the significance of maintenance, exemplified by the MTA’s management of the R32 subway trains. Originally built to last 35 years, these trains served for 58 years due to dedicated maintenance efforts, highlighting the contrast between maintenance and repair. The author discusses the challenges faced by the MTA, including outdated technology, the difficulty of sourcing replacement parts, and the undervaluation of maintenance labor in a capitalist system. The piece advocates for a shift in perspective, suggesting maintenance as a framework for addressing climate change and promoting sustainability by valuing the work and knowledge of maintenance workers. It argues for a societal recognition of maintenance as a noble craft, essential for preserving infrastructure and addressing modern challenges.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aging Infrastructure | Aging transportation infrastructure presents unprecedented maintenance challenges globally. | Shift from underinvestment in maintenance to recognizing its critical importance for sustainability. | Greater emphasis on maintaining existing infrastructure instead of solely building new systems. | Growing awareness of climate change impacts highlights the need for sustainable infrastructure practices. | 5 |
| Right-to-Repair Movement | Emerging consumer demand for products designed for easier repair and maintenance. | Transition from disposable products to a culture valuing repair and longevity. | Widespread acceptance and implementation of right-to-repair laws, promoting sustainable consumption. | Consumer advocacy for independence and autonomy over owned devices and products. | 4 |
| Shift Toward Maintenance Culture | Growing recognition of maintenance as a vital practice for sustainability and efficiency. | From neglecting maintenance to prioritizing it as a fundamental economic strategy. | Establishment of maintenance as a core principle in infrastructure and product design. | Environmental and economic pressures necessitate a reevaluation of resource management. | 4 |
| Circular Economy Advocacy | Increasing interest in circular economy principles to extend product lifespans. | Shift from linear consumption to circular models that prioritize reuse and maintenance. | Adoption of circular economy practices across various industries, reducing waste. | Market pressures and resource scarcity drive the need for sustainable economic models. | 5 |
| Emerging Maintenance Technologies | Technological innovations that facilitate efficient maintenance practices. | Transition from manual, labor-intensive maintenance to more automated and efficient processes. | Integration of advanced technologies in maintenance to enhance efficacy and reduce costs. | Technological advancements and the need for operational efficiency. | 4 |
| Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities | Increased awareness of vulnerabilities in global supply chains for critical materials. | Shift from reliance on global supply chains to localized, sustainable sourcing. | More resilient supply chains focusing on local sourcing and sustainable practices. | Supply chain disruptions highlight the need for self-sufficiency and localization. | 5 |
| Cultural Shift in Repair Attitudes | Changing societal attitudes towards repair and maintenance as valuable skills. | From viewing repairs as a nuisance to valuing them as essential practices. | A culture that celebrates repair and maintenance as integral to sustainability. | Growing DIY and repair culture fueled by social media and community initiatives. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Aging infrastructure and obsolescence | Challenges with maintaining aged infrastructure like subway trains lead to increased risks of failures and safety hazards. | 5 |
| Undervaluation of maintenance practices | The current economic system undervalues maintenance, potentially leading to neglect of essential infrastructure and public services. | 4 |
| Resource scarcity due to over-consumption | Increasing demand for materials in technology and infrastructure could lead to heightened competition and environmental degradation. | 4 |
| Environmental implications of maintenance neglect | Neglected maintenance of transport and energy systems can exacerbate climate change impacts and hinder transition efforts. | 5 |
| Labor dynamics and maintenance culture | The disparity in labor and material costs discourages investment in maintenance, which could lead to systemic failures. | 4 |
| Political will and economic structure | The need for a shift in political and economic frameworks to prioritize maintenance over profit-driven agendas. | 5 |
| Sustainability vs. maintenance framework | The focus on sustainability over maintenance may overlook the role of effective upkeep in achieving long-term ecological goals. | 4 |
| Right to Repair movement limitations | The focus on consumer rights in repair practices may distract from larger systemic issues in production and resource use. | 3 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Valuing Maintenance | Recognition of maintenance as a critical, yet often overlooked, practice necessary for sustainability and longevity of infrastructure and objects. | 5 |
| DIY Repair Culture | A growing movement of individuals taking initiative to repair and maintain their own possessions, often facilitated by online resources and communities. | 4 |
| Circular Economy Awareness | An increasing understanding and advocacy for industrial systems designed to be restorative and regenerative, emphasizing maintenance over mere consumption. | 4 |
| Political Will for Maintenance | A call for greater political and regulatory support for maintenance practices, challenging the narrative of disposability in consumer culture. | 5 |
| Knowledge Sharing in Maintenance | Encouragement of sharing expertise and knowledge among maintenance workers and the public to enhance understanding and appreciation of maintenance work. | 3 |
| Material Awareness | A rising consciousness about the materials and resources used in everyday objects and infrastructure, fostering a sense of responsibility for their upkeep. | 4 |
| Resilience through Maintenance | An emerging recognition that robust maintenance practices can build resilience against climate change and resource scarcity. | 5 |
| Austerity and Maintenance Practices | Understanding how economic conditions influence maintenance practices, particularly in resource-limited environments. | 4 |
| Integration of Maintenance in Climate Discourse | A shift towards incorporating maintenance as a fundamental aspect of discussions around sustainability and climate change. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Circular Economy | An industrial system designed to be restorative or regenerative, emphasizing the importance of maintenance and reuse. | 5 |
| Right to Repair Movement | A consumer rights movement advocating for the ability to repair and maintain products easily and affordably. | 4 |
| Electric Vehicles (EV) | A surge in demand for electric vehicles, which necessitates better recycling and efficient resource use, particularly of metals. | 4 |
| Maintenance as a Service | A potential new industry model focusing on maintenance practices for infrastructure and machinery as a core service. | 3 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Aging Infrastructure | The global challenge of maintaining aging transportation, water, and energy infrastructure amidst climate change. | 5 |
| Valuation of Maintenance | The need to shift societal values to recognize the importance of maintenance over new construction and disposable culture. | 4 |
| Circular Economy | The concept of circular economy gaining traction as a framework for sustainable industrial practices and maintenance. | 4 |
| Right-to-Repair Movement | Growing advocacy for consumer rights to repair products, challenging corporate control over maintenance practices. | 4 |
| Labor Dynamics in Maintenance | The economic disincentives for maintenance labor in developed economies, leading to wasteful consumption patterns. | 5 |
| Environmental Impact of Consumption | The tension between consumer culture and environmental sustainability, highlighting the importance of maintenance. | 4 |
| Technological Complexity in Maintenance | The increasing complexity of modern systems makes maintenance more challenging and necessitates new skills. | 4 |
| Knowledge Preservation in Maintenance | The importance of preserving the knowledge and skills of maintenance workers for future sustainability efforts. | 5 |
| Economic System and Maintenance | The need for an economic system that values maintenance work and labor beyond profit-driven motives. | 5 |
| Integration of Maintenance in Climate Strategy | Maintenance as a potential framework for addressing climate change within the context of industrial society. | 4 |