'This book should be read by anyone commissioning impact assessments who wants to build their understanding of the more progressive and innovative end of the topic. A job well done in the eyes of stakeholders and regulators requires proper social analysis.'- Jon Samuel, Head of Social Performance, Anglo American
'The list of authors reads like a who's who in SIA. Academics and practitioners are equally represented among the authors. The book provides a good mix of broad theoretical concepts and specific practical topics.'
- Martin Haefele, Manager, Environmental Impact Assessment at Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
'This book gives a very broad overview of where Social Impact Assessment is coming from, where it is now and where it could go: from an impact assessment tool to an impact management tool. It provides a realistic insight in both the achievements and the struggles of Social Impact Assessment. A recommended read for both those interested in Social Impact Assessment and those in related domains where social issues are gaining increasing importance, such as Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal.'
- Rob Verheem, Deputy Director, Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment
This important new book outlines current developments in thinking in the field of Social Impact Assessment (SIA). It advances the theory and practice of SIA, and argues that a dramatic shift is required in the way socioeconomic studies and community participation is undertaken. The book emphasizes that, much more than the act of predicting impacts in a regulatory context, SIA needs to be the process of managing the social aspects of development and that there needs to be a holistic and integrated approach to impact assessment. It stresses that greater attention needs to be given to ensuring that the goals of development are attained and enhanced.
This significant addition to the literature will be an invaluable reference for academics, consultants and practitioners.
Contributors: N. Ahmad, I.C. Aucamp, S.-M. Aucamp, J.T. Baines, M.-A. Barclay, S. Beddies, S. Bice, D. Brereton, A. Bron, S. Coakes, A. Cottrell, A.A. Dani, A.M. Esteves, R. Evans, D.M. Franks, J. Hartz-Karp, B. Harvey, R. Howitt, P. Hunt, P. Kapelus, T. Kauppinen, D. Kemp, D. King, K. Lahiri-Dutt, G. MacNaughton, C.J. Moran, S. Nish, C. O Faircheallaigh, J.J. Perold, J. Pope, E. Richards, A. Sadler, R. Sairinen, D. Samson, J. Schirmer, T. Scudder, H. Sherwin, C.N. Taylor, F. Vanclay, S. Woodborne
Industry Reviews
'I read this book as a social impact assessment (SIA) practitioner and teacher and as such I found it informative, provocative and inspiring as well as being highly readable... a valuable book... The book presents a strong case for the place of SIA in the project decision-making, monitoring and management process, and it provides excellent material for practitioners to use in arguing for the resources, organisational approach and attitudes needed to produce quality work. At the same time it provides some excellent new ideas, a timely reminder of the principles and values behind best practice SIA, and a range of tools to use to improve performance. As such it is a book that I will use in future training courses and that I will recommend to my students.' -- Dianne Buchan, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 'This book should be read by anyone commissioning impact assessments who wants to build their understanding of the more progressive and innovative end of the topic. A job well done in the eyes of stakeholders and regulators requires proper social analysis.' -- Jon Samuel, Head of Social Performance, Anglo American 'The list of authors reads like a who's who in SIA. Academics and practitioners are equally represented among the authors. The book provides a good mix of broad theoretical concepts and specific practical topics.' -- Martin Haefele, Manager, Environmental Impact Assessment at Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada 'This book gives a very broad overview of where Social Impact Assessment is coming from, where it is now and where it could go: from an impact assessment tool to an impact management tool. It provides a realistic insight in both the achievements and the struggles of Social Impact Assessment. A recommended read for both those interested in Social Impact Assessment and those in related domains where social issues are gaining increasing importance, such as Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal.' -- Rob Verheem, Deputy Director, Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment
