SOCIAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

WHAT IS SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The systematic analysis in advance of
development or policy changes that will bring
social change to a community.

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

SIAs provide a systematic framework to:
Anticipate social change from a project or policy
change
Measure baseline data and project impacts
Look at the potential social implications
Communicate changes to the community
Outline steps to mitigate or enhance negative or
positive aspects of change
See that the benefits of change do not empower
some groups over others

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

SIAs should
Involve as many community members as possible
Acknowledge negative consequences so they can
be addressed in an open manner
Seek to balance both economic needs with social
needs

HISTORY OF SIA
Federal US Law requires an Environmental Impact
Assessment (US National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969NEPA)for major projects or policy changes
Projects that generate significant alterations of
the Bio-Physical Environment can impact
human populations
Changing the natural environment impacts
humans
SIAs are anticipatory

SIA PARTICIPANTS

Project Proponent
Community
Government Agencies
Consultants
The Public

STAGES IN PROJECT/POLICY
DEVELOPMENT

Planning and Development

Construction/Implementation
Operation/maintenance
Decommissioning/Abandonment

COMPONENT GUIDELINES FOR SIA

Description of proposed actions
Relationship of the proposed action to land use
plans
Probable impacts on the ecology
Alternative to proposes actions
Identifying unavoidable adverse effects
Local short term impacts and long-term issues
Identifying irreversible and irretrievable impacts
Other considerations such as psychological
impacts

SIA VARIABLES
Population Change
Population change
Influx of (temporary) workers
Presence of seasonal residents
Dislocation/Relocation of families
Changes in composition

SIA VARIABLES
Community/Institutional Arrangements
Attitudes towards projects
Interest Group Activities
Changes in local government
Planning and Zoning changes
Industrial diversification
Income and Wages
Income inequality
Employment of groups
Changing occupational choices

SIA VARIABLES
Communities in Transition
New outside interests acting in the community
New coalitions of existing institutions
New social classes
Changes in industries
Changes in housing costs
Changes in the allocation of natural resources

Individual and Family Level Impacts

Disruptions in living and movement patterns
New religious practices
Alteration in family structure
Disruption of social networks
Changes in public safety and health
Changes in leisure activities

SIA VARIABLES
Community Infrastructure
Changes in utilities and roads
Land acquisition and selling
Effects on known cultural, historical, sacred, and
archeological resources

THREE KINDS OF TOOLS

Planning
Policy
Programs
projects

Policy
To act
To decide

Decision-Making
Determine social costs

SCOPING
Scope out the range of issues
Identify stakeholders

Governments
Project proponents
Project detractors
Community groups and organizations
Interested citizens
Native peoples
Special populations

MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT

Mitigation
First, try to avoid adverse impacts
Second, alternative designs to minimize impacts
Third, Compensate of adverse impacts