Place, space and environment: the case of the relocation of the electric power plant on the island of Lesbos

Abstract

The present article discusses the conflict between the residents of a municipality of a Greek island and the Public Power Corporation about the relocation of the power plant unit of the island. Based on one year of fieldwork the article attempts to examine the conflict by employing the concepts of ‘place’, ‘space’ and ‘environment’. I identify the concept of ‘place’ with the local/indigenous views and the concept of ‘space’ with the bureaucratic views of the earth. The articulation of these two cultural perspectives, is epitomised by the concept of ‘environment’.