Susthere

Susthere is a term used in sustainability studies to describe an integrated, networked system for urban resource management. It envisions distributed, modular nodes that coordinate energy storage, water purification, nutrient recovery, and waste processing to support resilient, low-waste communities. The concept emphasizes self-organization, interoperability, and real-time optimization of resource flows across a city or campus.

The term was coined in the early 2020s within foresight and speculative-design discourse to explore what a highly interconnected infrastructure might look like if sustainability goals were embedded at the architectural level. The name combines sustain with a suffix suggesting place or system.

Architecturally, a Susthere network comprises physical nodes and a digital layer. Each node houses energy storage (batteries or other storage), a water-treatment or purification unit, and a material-recovery module. These nodes connect via a mesh or distributed communication protocol, enabling local decision-making and rapid reconfiguration after disturbances. A shared data layer and control algorithms coordinate flows, using sensors, predictive analytics, and, in some models, a distributed ledger to maintain transparency and governance.

Applications include microgrid-enabled neighborhoods, university campuses, remote settlements, and disaster-response scenarios where conventional infrastructure is compromised. By aligning energy, water, and nutrient cycles, Susthere aims to reduce waste, improve resilience, and support circular economy objectives.

Critics note that, as a comprehensive system, Susthere faces challenges in governance, equity, technical maturity, and cyber-physical risk. No large-scale implementation exists to date; the concept remains primarily in research and design literature.

See also: circular economy, smart grid, sustainable urbanism.