EMBEDDED SPATIAL PLANNING INSTRUMENTS OF COLONIAL HERITAGE IN HONDURAS

Abstract

This thesis addresses the continued influence of colonial legacies on spatial planning practices in Honduras. It demonstrates how these deeply ingrained systems maintain inequality and marginalisation under the guise of ‘modern development’. By breaking down the historical development and institutionalisation of colonial instruments, particularly in the context of enclave developments such as the “Zones for Employment and Economic Development” (ZEDEs), the research draws attention to the profound contrast between the prioritisation of foreign exploitation and the needs and rights of local communities. The research employs a qualitative approach, drawing on a deeply personal connection to Honduras and a commitment to decolonial justice. This includes semi-structured interviews, autoethnography, and a case study of Crawfish Rock, Roatán. The findings are deeply troubling, as they reveal a pattern of (normalised) infrastructural violence that continues to disenfranchise the most vulnerable, while elites and transnational corporations profit. My own journey through this research has served to reinforce my conviction that these oppressive systems must be resisted and dismantled. In conclusion, this thesis is not merely an academic exercise; instead, it serves a practical purpose as a call to action. This entails a radical rethinking of spatial planning in Honduras, one that prioritises the voices and rights of those who have been silenced for too long. It was my intention to make a contribution to the decolonial movement through this work, advocating for spatial justice and the dismantling of the colonial structures that still haunt the landscapes of the Global South. In this thesis, the terms “development”, “solution”, “improvement”, “prosperity” and “progress” will be used despite their colonial connotations. These terms, often perceived as positive, have historically been used to justify exploitation and the imposition of foreign values on indigenous and marginalised local communities. While these terms are employed for the sake of clarity, it is with a critical awareness that their impacts are complex and frequently harmful, especially within colonial and postcolonial contexts.