Urban-rural institutional conflict and the state scalar division of labour in suburban infrastructure provision
Abstract
This article examines conflict between traditionally rural and urban utilities over the right to serve customers in suburbanising areas. Through case studies of the electricity sectors in South Carolina and Georgia, I argue that whether urban-rural institutional conflict remains a feature of suburban infrastructure provision is contingent on whether rural utilities were able to alter the state scalar division of labour, shifting infrastructure governance powers from municipalities to the state government. I conclude that in regions where utility sectors developed along urban-rural lines, the state scalar division of labour is an important lens for understanding infrastructure provision in suburbanising areas.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Water Governance and Infrastructure
Urban Planning and Governance
Local Governance and Planning
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Territory Politics Governance
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1527–1543
- Publication date
- 23 February 2026
- Language
- EN