In the latter half of the twentieth century, legions of industrial pioneers came to northwestern British Columbia with grand plans for mines, dams, and energy-development schemes. Yet many of their projects never materialized or were simply abandoned midstream. Unbuilt Environments reveals that these failed resource projects had lasting effects on the natural and human environment.

Drawing on a range of case studies to analyze the social and environmental impacts of unfinished projects, Jonathan Peyton considers development failure a productive concept for northwestern Canada. He finds that these unrealized projects and past development failures continue to shape contemporary resource conflicts in this region.

JONATHAN PEYTON is an assistant professor in the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of Manitoba.