The Colonial Legacy of Concrete in the Global South

Concrete towers dominate the skylines of Asian and African cities – looming edifices embodying development. With access to the tools and materials of industrial modernity, the Global South steps onto the world stage showcasing its bounty. Yet, at the depths of rising ambitions, the construction material speaks to colonial legacies and extractive economics that result in power imbalances in the geopolitical sphere. A climate crisis on the horizon only intensifies the complicated relationship between building materials, sustainability demands, and sovereignty of many countries.

The latter half of the 20th century saw most countries of the Global South breaking bonds with their colonial rulers, after which nation-building naturally ensued. Civic structures and infrastructure projects sought grandiose, finding purpose beyond functionality to dream of an image for the nation. Concrete was a popular material of choice. It was standardized and industrialized, yet was often foreign-controlled, thereby demanding continued colonial relationships.

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