Benefiting from the practice of social impact assessment

Abstract

This paper summarizes the major benefits of doing social impact assessment both as a stand alone activity or integrated with environmental, health, and economic assessments. Findings include the legislative basis for doing SIA, its knowledge base, how it is used, changes in the practice and the growing acceptance of SIA in the planning/decision process. In conclusion there is a summary of a few of the myths and misunderstandings that have limited the use of social impact assessment in the past.

Keywords:

• benefits
• myths
• participative and traditional social impact assessment
• legislative basis