Tenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

Since the late nineteenth century, macro and micro hydroelectric became significant agents of environmental impact and landscape transformations across the world. Its constructions are both necessary for its activities and a permanent reminder of the state or colonial power that built them up. Moreover, they have turned into important and controversial symbols for local communities and constructed environments. This work demonstrates how small and micro hydroelectric and its physical structures have been integrated by some of those local communities in the Pyrenees into their everyday interactions and collective imaginary. Both of them are increasingly important given that many of the licenses for its exploitation are about to expire, which has lead to a new and troubled situation. For many of the locals it means the chance of bringing a resource and a landmark back to a common ownership and management, at the expense of previous concessionaires, the energy companies.