The people have said no to the Microsoft hypescale data centre in Sloterdijk, and yet the build continues. Join us on Oct 16^th at 16.30 for another data centre walk to this controversial development. This time around we want to use this hyperscale data centre to discuss how these computing infrastructures are part of infrastructures of surveillance and militarisation, and to discuss democracy and local agency in the face of global capital.

Infrastructure walks are like guided tours of the city, or birdwatching expeditions – but instead of pointing out noteworthy architectural details of historical buildings or showing participants how to best observe particular species of birds, we will explore the digital infrastructures deployed in public spaces. In this case, a piece of land undergoing an infrastructural transformation into a speculative cloud factory. A transformation that places significant strain on Amsterdam’s land, energy, and water systems, and the city’s housing aspirations for the export of compute and profits to overseas territories.

Sign up for the data centre walk here.

The walk will include different stops and interactive activities around the data centre development area. We will end around 18.30 (and no later than 19:00). After the walk, there is the option for self-organised drinks in the local area or in the city centre.