DVA2601
Assignment 5:
Title: An analysis of the purpose of social impact assessment and its use in
South Africa as well as the recommended principles and practices for its
use in countries of the South.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page number
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................2
2. Social Impact Assessment...............................................................................3
3. SIA in practice in South Africa.......................................................................3
4. Principles and Practices of SIA in the South..................................................5
5. Conclusion......................................................................................................9
1
, 1. Introduction
Human beings are by nature social creatures. We live in communities
surrounded by other people and our interactions with these people; prescribe
our quality of life. Due to the fact that development studies is concerned with
human development, any development project is bound to have social impacts
in addition to its economic and environmental impacts. The necessity
therefore arises to have a firm understanding of the social impacts of
development projects and programmes.
When designing the project plan for a particular development project, the
possible social impacts of the project must be identified. This is due to the fact
that these social impacts may in fact dictate the possibility of achieving the
project’s aim. By conducting a social impact assessment, decision-makers are
able to avoid the negative social impacts of the projects and increase the
positive social impacts.
For the purposes of this essay I would like to provide a definition of social
impact assessment and explain its purpose. I would then like to provide an
analysis of the history of the practical application of social impact assessment
in South Africa. In conclusion, I will be providing recommended principles
and practices for the use of social impact assessment in countries of the South.
2
Assignment 5:
Title: An analysis of the purpose of social impact assessment and its use in
South Africa as well as the recommended principles and practices for its
use in countries of the South.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page number
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................2
2. Social Impact Assessment...............................................................................3
3. SIA in practice in South Africa.......................................................................3
4. Principles and Practices of SIA in the South..................................................5
5. Conclusion......................................................................................................9
1
, 1. Introduction
Human beings are by nature social creatures. We live in communities
surrounded by other people and our interactions with these people; prescribe
our quality of life. Due to the fact that development studies is concerned with
human development, any development project is bound to have social impacts
in addition to its economic and environmental impacts. The necessity
therefore arises to have a firm understanding of the social impacts of
development projects and programmes.
When designing the project plan for a particular development project, the
possible social impacts of the project must be identified. This is due to the fact
that these social impacts may in fact dictate the possibility of achieving the
project’s aim. By conducting a social impact assessment, decision-makers are
able to avoid the negative social impacts of the projects and increase the
positive social impacts.
For the purposes of this essay I would like to provide a definition of social
impact assessment and explain its purpose. I would then like to provide an
analysis of the history of the practical application of social impact assessment
in South Africa. In conclusion, I will be providing recommended principles
and practices for the use of social impact assessment in countries of the South.
2
