Research project The labours of new large-scale infrastructure projects in urban Africa
Their fast pace of construction make them constitutive of what has been termed ‘fast urbanism’. Yet, their implementation will inform city life for decades to come. Previous studies have analysed the political and economic drivers, qualities and consequences of these projects. However, few studies have analysed the lives, experiences and imaginations of ordinary people labouring in and around the construction sites of new infrastructure projects. This knowledge gap is problematic since the situation of ordinary workers is vital for local livelihoods as well as the production and maintenance of new infrastructures. This project aims to analyse how large-scale infrastructure projects in urban Africa shape local livelihood opportunities and the daily practices and experiences of infrastructure workers, and how these opportunities and practices change over time. The project builds on the growing literature on infrastructure in the social sciences, and more specifically bottom-up perspectives focusing on infrastructure and everyday life. The project will analyse and compare the situation of labourers working on, or in the vicinity of, infrastructure projects in Accra (Ghana), Maputo (Mozambique) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, observations, and text- and media analysis will be used.
Project activities:
2026
Odeo, Jack “Infrastructured bodies: infrastructuring the worker in Africa’s infrastructure scramble” presented at Nordic Geographers Meeting (NGM), University of Reykjavik, June 22-25, https://ngm2026.hi.is/
Odeo, Jack “In the shadow of the viaduct: New transport infrastructure and urban technopolitics in Nairobi” presented at the China Room Seminar, Polytechnic of Turin, June 9.
Odeo, Jack “Objects, practices and methods: following the politics, the people, and the everyday life” presented at the Italian Association of Africa and China Studies (AISAC) Biennial Workshop, Polytechnic of Turin, May 7-8.
2025
Ilda Lindell & Lena Fält ”Large-scale infrastructure projects and everyday life in urban Africa”, organisation of panel with two sessions at the European Conference on African Studies (ECAS), June 25-28, https://www.ecasconference.org/2025/
Ilda Lindell & Lena Fält ”Two projects on infrastructure: Emergent ‘world-class’ transport infrastructures: urban visions and infrastructural spaces in African cities & The labours of new large-scale infrastructure projects in urban Africa (panel introduction)” presented at European Conference on African Studies (ECAS), June 25-28, https://www.ecasconference.org/2025/
Odeo, Jack “In the Shadow of the Viaduct: New Transport Infrastructures and Urban Change in Nairobi“ presented at PhD half-time seminar at the Dept. of Human Geography, Stockholm University, May 8.
2024
Fält, Lena “Global infrastructure and precarious work: insights and experiences from road workers in Accra” presented at Nordic Geographers Meeting (NGM), Copenhagen, June 24-27, https://ngm2024.com/
2023
Fält, Lena “Working on the road: insights and experiences from road workers and street vendors in Accra”, presented at the Nordic Development Research Conference (NorDev), Uppsala, August 21-23, https://www.nordev2023.se/
Fält, Lena “Working on the road: insights and experiences from road workers and street vendors in Accra” presented at the European Conference on African Studies (ECAS), Cologne, May 31 - June 3, https://ecasconference.org/2023/
Fält, Lena “The labours of new large-scale infrastructure projects in urban Africa” presented at the seminar series at the Centre for Asian Studies, Stockholm University, May 23
La Beach Road in Accra, identified for expansion and upgrading. Photo: Lena Fält
La Beach Road. Photo: Lena Fält
Ongoing work on a flyover that is part of the project. Photo: Lena Fält
La Beach Road flyover. Photo: Lena Fält
Ongoing construction of a new pavement. Photo: Lena Fält
Area excavated as part of the construction. Buildings along the road have been fully or partially demolished. This stretch previously housed more than 100 street vendors, who were evicted when the project started. Photo: Lena Fält
Excavated area as part of the construction. Buildings along the road have been partially demolished, and traders have been evicted. Photo: Lena Fält
Street vendors are struggling to find places to work during the construction period. Photo: Lena Fält
The road has been elevated up as part of the project, leaving traders less accessible “below” it. Photo: Lena Fält
The project was abruptly put on hold in 2022. Some sections have been upgraded, while others have not. This photo illustrates a stretch where the road transitions from asphalt to unpaved. Photo: Lena Fält
Ongoing construction work at Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, Accra. Photo: Lena Fält
Inspection of ongoing work at Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, Accra, Ghana. Photo: Lena Fält
Ongoing construction work at Flowerpot Interchange, Accra, Ghana. Photo: Lena Fält
Ongoing construction work at Flowerpot Interchange, Accra, Ghana. Photo: Lena Fält