Big company, Small town. Spatial and Social Capital in a Persistent Company Town.

Something that is not much discussed when talking about Dalmine is the impact of its production as a supply chain sustaining extractive operations that also serve as a dominance and land exploitation mechanism. For instance, Dalmine supplied various oil and gas operations abroad, contributing to developing and exploiting resources in multiple nations. These pipelines, essential for extracting oil, gas, water, and supporting energy systems, are integral to the infrastructure of extractive sites, particularly in less urbanized countries. Such regions experienced economic neocolonialism throughout the twentieth century, shaping resource exploitation and growth patterns. This dynamic, far from being a relic of the past, continues to drive significant urban and ecological changes. For understanding the company town phenomenon, a critical nexus in understanding global historical processes from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries. The presentation explored the interplay among company towns and colonialism, new imperialism, and its spatial and social capital exploitation, underscoring how they collectively shaped territories and political landscapes worldwide. Company towns, often a byproduct of colonial enterprises, were integral to the framework of new imperialism, underpinning the expansionist policies of major powers.