The Broken Promise of Infrastructure

The Broken Promise of Infrastructure explores the cultural politics used to deflect attention away from Britain's failing infrastructure, reinforcing nationalist narratives and undermining regional identities. It exposes the geographies of race, class, and gender that still govern the way infrastructure is imagined and calls for a more urgent challenge to dominant ways of thinking about infrastructure.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: Lawrence & Wishart Ltd

The Broken Promise of Infrastructure delves into the contentious cultural politics employed to divert attention away from Britain's failing infrastructure, spanning from Brexit to the levelling up agenda and beyond. Building upon over a decade of research, Davies compellingly argues that infrastructure projects transcend mere concrete and steel; they possess the potential to reinforce nationalist narratives, undermine regional identities, and impose significant constraints on our political landscape. By unveiling the geographies of race, class, and gender that continue to shape the imagination of infrastructure, Davies invites us to break through these boundaries and explore the underlying factors that contribute to the functioning of Britain.

The promise of levelling up, once heralded as a transformative initiative, has fallen short. Through a series of case studies, spanning from Stoke-on-Trent to South Africa and Silicon Valley, Davies demonstrates that this broken promise is rooted in broader histories of industry and empire. In the face of racial capitalism's relentless grip on Britain and the growing urgency of addressing the climate crisis, this book argues that it is imperative to challenge prevailing notions about infrastructure and reclaim its transformative power for ourselves.

The Broken Promise of Infrastructure serves as a timely and essential exploration of the complex relationship between infrastructure, culture, and politics. It sheds light on the ways in which dominant narratives and power structures have shaped the development and management of infrastructure, perpetuating inequalities and hindering progress. By challenging these narratives and advocating for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to infrastructure, this book offers a roadmap for rebuilding trust, reimagining our cities and regions, and creating a more prosperous and equitable future for all.

Weight: 294g
Dimension: 137 x 217 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913546359