JOURNAL ARTICLE

Living space and the struggle against geothermal energy projects in Flores, Indonesia.

  • Published In: Environment & Planning E: Nature & Space, 2026, v. 9, n. 2. P. 576 1 of 3

  • Database: Environment Complete 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Yeh, Emily T; Dale, Cypri Jehan Paju; Afioma, Gregorius; Frydenlund, Shae 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the resistance of two Manggarai communities in Flores, Indonesia, against geothermal energy projects framed as part of the country's green energy transition. These communities mobilize around the concept of ruang hidup, or "living space," which integrates homes, fields, water sources, ritual sites, and ancestral connections, to assert their indigeneity and demand respect for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles. Through strategic articulation and translation of ruang hidup into Bahasa Indonesia and English, the communities have temporarily halted projects funded by the World Bank and the German Development Bank (KfW). The study highlights how indigeneity in Indonesia is a contested and flexible identity, and how local spatial-cultural concepts can be leveraged to challenge national and transnational actors in renewable energy development.

Additional Information

  • Source:Environment & Planning E: Nature & Space. 2026/04, Vol. 9, Issue 2, p576
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Geography and Cartography
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:2514-8486
  • DOI:10.1177/25148486251394605
  • Accession Number:192308798
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Environment & Planning E: Nature & Space is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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