What is Social Impact Assessment?
Professor Rabel J. Burdge defines Social Impact Assessment as a “systematic analysis in advance of the likely impacts a development event (project, policy or plan) will have on the day-to-day life (environment) of persons and communities.” An internationally renouwed expert on SIA, Professor Burdge addes that SIA helps communities, government and private sector organizations understand and anticipate the social consequences on human populations of proposed project development or policy changes. SIA should be performed as part of the planning process to alert the planner and the project proponent of the potential social impacts. Social impacts, like biological, physical, or economic impacts, have to be identified and measured to be understood and communicated to the impacted population and decision-makers. Dr. Burdge states, “SIA provides a realistic appraisal of possible social ramifications and suggestions for project alternatives and possible mitigation measures.” Social Impact Asses
