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Nature Infrastructure and the Making of German Southwest Africa Environment

Michael Simmons

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Published in Environing Empire: Nature Infrastructure And The Making Of German Southwest Africa (Environment In History: International Perspectives 23)

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The German colonial administration in Southwest Africa (present-day Namibia) used nature infrastructure to shape the landscape, economy, and society of the colony. Nature infrastructure refers to the natural resources and ecosystems that are used to provide essential services, such as water, food, shelter, and energy. The German colonial administration used nature infrastructure to create a more habitable and productive environment for German settlers and to support the colony's economy.

Environing Empire: Nature Infrastructure and the Making of German Southwest Africa (Environment in History: International Perspectives 23)

Environing Empire: Nature, Infrastructure and the Making of German Southwest Africa (Environment in History: International Perspectives Book 23)

by Martin Kalb

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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One of the most important ways that the German colonial administration used nature infrastructure was to develop water resources. The colony is located in a semi-arid region, and water is scarce. The German colonial administration built dams, reservoirs, and canals to store and distribute water. This allowed German settlers to establish farms and businesses in areas that would have otherwise been uninhabitable.

The German colonial administration also used nature infrastructure to develop the colony's economy. The colony was rich in natural resources, such as minerals, timber, and wildlife. The German colonial administration encouraged German settlers to exploit these resources, and they established a number of industries, such as mining, logging, and fishing. The development of these industries led to the growth of the colony's economy and the creation of jobs for German settlers.

In addition to its economic benefits, nature infrastructure also played a social role in the colony. The German colonial administration used nature infrastructure to create a more German environment for German settlers. They planted trees, built parks, and established nature reserves. These measures helped to create a sense of place for German settlers and to make the colony feel more like home.

The German colonial administration's use of nature infrastructure had a lasting impact on the environment of Namibia. The dams, reservoirs, and canals that were built to store and distribute water are still in use today. The forests and nature reserves that were established to create a more German environment for German settlers are now important conservation areas. The development of the colony's economy led to the growth of towns and cities, which has had a lasting impact on the landscape.

The German colonial administration's use of nature infrastructure is a reminder of the power of nature to shape human societies. The German colonial administration used nature infrastructure to create a more habitable and productive environment for German settlers, but it also had a lasting impact on the environment of Namibia. The dams, reservoirs, canals, forests, and nature reserves that were created by the German colonial administration are now part of the Namibian landscape and they continue to provide essential services to the people of Namibia.

Environing Empire: Nature, Infrastructure and the Making of German Southwest Africa (Environment in History: International Perspectives Book 23)

by Martin Kalb

5 out of 5