Dams as Hydrosocial Infrastructure: Attributes and Drawbacks from a Structural and Relational Perspective

This article examines dams from a relational perspective, understanding them as hydrosocial infrastructures resulting from interactions between actors, their mental models, institutions, and water flows. Through a literature review in the fields of science and technology as well as socioecological studies, we identified six attributes and five drawbacks of dams from a relational perspective that are not usually fully considered. Additionally, we collated these drawbacks and attributes for four dams in Colombia. The article contributes theory to approaching energy infrastructures, such as dams, from the hydrosocial, socioecological, and sociotechnical literature. The article highlights the importance of a new view to planning and government of the territory, as well as water administration and energy transition toward more just socioecological relations.