Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Livelihoods

This chapter provides an overview of the key considerations in the planning, implementing and monitoring the land access and resettlement required for projects. Perhaps the primary objective of the international resettlement standards is to minimise the amount of land to be acquired and the number of people requiring resettlement. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) practitioners contribute to discussions about the extent of land-take in several ways. They often determine the environmental buffers that are applied to projects. Changing project specifications can significantly reduce the amount of land required and/or the number of people affected. The design and assessment of project alternatives must involve social, technical, and environmental considerations. There is a growing scholarship on resettlement and, with the various handbooks, there is a clear notion of international best practice. Training courses and summer schools are also available to improve the practice of resettlement.