Notes for Damage to infrastructure - IB | RevisionDojo
Damage to infrastructure Notes
The Destruction of Infrastructure in Kosovo
The Kosovo War caused widespread destruction of homes, services, and vital infrastructure.
Housing destruction
During the conflict, closely linked to NATO bombing, Kosovo suffered from widespread housing destruction.
A UN-supported survey found around 120,000 homes damaged, with over 40,000 completely destroyed, costing an estimated €1.1 billion.
Public facilities, including schools and hospitals, incurred an additional €40 million in damages.
Collapse of essential services
Bombing and looting disabled key services such as electricity, water, and sewage, which fuelled health crises.
Local councils lost critical records, with around 80% of cadastral data destroyed, complicating reconstruction efforts.
Case study
The Obilić Power Plant Complex (Kosovo A and B)
Pre-war importance
Located near Pristina, the lignite-fueled plants produced approximately 90% of Kosovo’s electricity before the war.
Kosovo B, the newer plant, was especially vital due to its larger capacity and relatively modern design.
NATO strikes and targeting
NATO claimed it avoided directly bombing major energy-producing facilities to prevent a humanitarian disaster.
However, the Serbian military’s use of infrastructure made the plants vulnerable.
In 1999, power transmission lines and transformers linked to Kosovo A and B were targeted to disrupt Serbian military logistics.
Damage and decline
Though not completely destroyed, the plants suffered severe degradation due to neglect, looting, and lack of maintenance during and after the war.
Key systems such as copper wiring, turbines, and control systems were vandalized or stolen.
Kosovo A, already outdated, became nearly inoperable, while Kosovo B functioned with reduced capacity.
Post-war environmental issues
The plants already lacked modern filtration systems, and post-conflict breakdowns further worsened air quality.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) identified Kosovo A as “one of the worst single-point sources of pollution in Europe.”
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Note
NATO's Air Campaign in Kosovo
NATO launched an air campaign in Kosovo in 1999, targeting military and strategic sites.
The goal was to weaken Yugoslav military capabilities and force a withdrawal from Kosovo.
Key targets included bridges, roads, and communication networks.
NATO's strategy was to cripple the enemy's ability to operate by destroying critical infrastructure.
Collateral Damage
Despite efforts to avoid civilian targets, many were hit.
Collateral damage refers to unintentional damage to civilian infrastructure.
Power plants, water supply systems, and hospitals were affected.
Collateral damage is often a controversial aspect of military campaigns, as it impacts civilian life.
Impact on Housing and Urban Areas
Over 120,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
Many urban areas were left in ruins, with entire neighborhoods flattened.
Thousands of civilians were left homeless, facing harsh living conditions.
The destruction of homes had a long-lasting impact on the civilian population, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
