Title: Disenchanted Modernities: Mega-Infrastructure Projects and the Drama of the Grabbed Commons

Mega-Infrastructure Projects (MIPs) represent a central element of globalized development. They are complex ventures involving international capital and many stakeholders. However, despite MIPs' promise of a sustainable modern development, many local users are left disenchanted. Not only do they lose access to their resources often held in common, many projects fail to deliver on their goals. New work and livelihood opportunities for local communities often do not materialise. Despite these failures, operating companies and governments remain committed to these large-scale solar-, wind- and biofuel projects.

This talk will present examples from Asia, the African continent, the Americas, and Europe. These case studies provide the foundations for a modern discourse of MIPs. They demonstrate the conditions which lead to ‘disenchanted modernities’, and establish the basis for local responses to resist and to create alternatives.

This event will include a welcome from our Centre team and a wine reception following the main lecture.