Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower

This paper investigates the spatial dimension of power relations and the shaping of local alliances through a hydropower development project in Nepal. It provides a grass-roots illustration on the role of space in shaping and reshaping power relations, and how it manifests in the formation of local...

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Autores principales: Suhardiman, Diana, Karki, Emma
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2019
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102447
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author Suhardiman, Diana
Karki, Emma
author_browse Karki, Emma
Suhardiman, Diana
author_facet Suhardiman, Diana
Karki, Emma
author_sort Suhardiman, Diana
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper investigates the spatial dimension of power relations and the shaping of local alliances through a hydropower development project in Nepal. It provides a grass-roots illustration on the role of space in shaping and reshaping power relations, and how it manifests in the formation of local strategic alliances. Taking the Upper Karnali hydropower project as a case study, the paper highlights: 1) the role of private sector actor as an ad-hoc decision maker in hydropower development in the country; 2) how hydropower development is perceived by those who will be most affected; and 3) how the two shape the localized dynamics in hydropower decision making, while also sheds light on some of the key gaps in hydropower decision-making landscape and processes. Viewing space as a process and a product of socio-political interface, it shows how local communities living along the Karnali River view the planned hydropower project differently, how these views are rooted in their relationship with the hydropower company, and how such relationship is predetermined by local communities’ bargaining power in relation to the proximity of their respective villages to the planned hydropower dam site, and vice versa. Unpacking the power relations shaping and reshaping spatial politics in hydropower decision making, it presents the concept of spatial alliances as a theoretical underpinning to unpack the question on why and how power relations emerge, are sustained and reproduced.
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spelling CGSpace1024472025-05-20T05:48:55Z Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower Suhardiman, Diana Karki, Emma hydropower development projects decision making political aspects local communities alliances private sector governing bodies strategies electricity dams downstream upstream villages land acquisitions compensation social aspects case studies This paper investigates the spatial dimension of power relations and the shaping of local alliances through a hydropower development project in Nepal. It provides a grass-roots illustration on the role of space in shaping and reshaping power relations, and how it manifests in the formation of local strategic alliances. Taking the Upper Karnali hydropower project as a case study, the paper highlights: 1) the role of private sector actor as an ad-hoc decision maker in hydropower development in the country; 2) how hydropower development is perceived by those who will be most affected; and 3) how the two shape the localized dynamics in hydropower decision making, while also sheds light on some of the key gaps in hydropower decision-making landscape and processes. Viewing space as a process and a product of socio-political interface, it shows how local communities living along the Karnali River view the planned hydropower project differently, how these views are rooted in their relationship with the hydropower company, and how such relationship is predetermined by local communities’ bargaining power in relation to the proximity of their respective villages to the planned hydropower dam site, and vice versa. Unpacking the power relations shaping and reshaping spatial politics in hydropower decision making, it presents the concept of spatial alliances as a theoretical underpinning to unpack the question on why and how power relations emerge, are sustained and reproduced. 2019-10 2019-08-06T04:08:08Z 2019-08-06T04:08:08Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102447 en Limited Access Elsevier Suhardiman, Diana; Karki, Emma. 2019. Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower. World Development, 122:525-536. (Online first) doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.06.022
spellingShingle hydropower
development projects
decision making
political aspects
local communities
alliances
private sector
governing bodies
strategies
electricity
dams
downstream
upstream
villages
land acquisitions
compensation
social aspects
case studies
Suhardiman, Diana
Karki, Emma
Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower
title Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower
title_full Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower
title_fullStr Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower
title_full_unstemmed Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower
title_short Spatial politics and local alliances shaping Nepal hydropower
title_sort spatial politics and local alliances shaping nepal hydropower
topic hydropower
development projects
decision making
political aspects
local communities
alliances
private sector
governing bodies
strategies
electricity
dams
downstream
upstream
villages
land acquisitions
compensation
social aspects
case studies
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102447
work_keys_str_mv AT suhardimandiana spatialpoliticsandlocalalliancesshapingnepalhydropower
AT karkiemma spatialpoliticsandlocalalliancesshapingnepalhydropower