This work aims to discuss the concepts of affected used currently by the scientific community to name those who suffer in some way with the construction of dams, reflecting and debating theoretical conceptions of the term and its variations. It is applied the most current and conceptualization in use by academic community or agencies. The affected, as a result of large hydroelectric development projects, are those who were deprived of living or working in flooded areas or close to power plant, causing territorial losses and changing the identities of these people. As a study of case, Olhos D'água settlement, located in Uberlândia-MG, Brazil, proves how affected people need to modify their livelihoods, resulted of the transformation ofcultural relations entered into before and after the arrival of hydroelectric power stations which are part of the energy complex named as Amador Aguiar.
large development project; affected; Olhos D'água settlement
