Optimizing SIA: discourses in South African SIA and DRA practice

ABSTRACT

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is recognized as a valuable component of environmental management, yet it has been neglected internationally and in South Africa. Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA), is identified as a complimentary activity to SIA, that due to its shared focus on community wellbeing, has the potential for integration with and enhancement of SIA. The integration of SIA and DRA is a new, but poorly researched trend in South Africa, which is explored in this paper by investigating the current discourses in SIA and DRA practice using questionnaires and interviews with a sample of SIA and DRA experts. Four practical discourses were investigated i.e. specialists’ career experience; obstacles to practice; methodological guidance; and integrated assessments. This was followed by a literature study that demonstrated that these discourses echo broad international trends in SIA and DRA practice. The findings suggest that the integration of SIA and DRA should be pursued to optimize SIA for improved practice, to increase community resilience and to promote sustainable development outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
• Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA)
• practical discourses
• integration
• sustainable development
• South Africa

Acknowledgments

The contribution of the SIA and DRA specialist community in South Africa is greatly appreciated and acknowledged. The valuable guidance and training by Dr. Graham Baker and Dr. Elisabeth Lickindorf from Kerlick Editorial and Research Solutions are gratefully appreciated and acknowledged. The valuable comments and suggestions from anonymous reviewers are gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. In the questionnaires the term ‘practitioner’ was utilized, i.e. a person that is actively engaged and skilled in the specified field. However, in the discussion of the methodology and findings the sample groups are referred to as ‘experts’ or ‘specialists’, i.e. a person that is knowledgeable in the specified field. The terminology was changed after data collection for it encapsulates the sample group best. The use of the different terminology however, does not affect the validity and the reliability of the data.

2. The code SIA6 refers to SIA respondent number 6; and DRA7 would refer to DRA respondent number 7.