The International Handbook of Social Impact Assessment

Book excerpt: 'This book provides a valuable addition to the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) literature. While the volume addresses several good examples of "how to" case studies it also firmly addresses the importance of the need for firm conceptual and theoretical guidelines for SIA practice. . . the volume is an excellent contribution to the SIA literature and I highly recommend it to both practitioner and researcher alike.' – Geoff Syme, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management 'An innovative collection which takes social impact assessment to the frontiers of environmental and social policy and citizen awareness. Unusually, this collection includes both sophisticated quantitative tools and equally important chapters on participation, stakeholder involvement and environmental mediation. A most valuable source book.' – Michael Redclift, King's College, London, UK Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is the process of analysing and managing the intended and unintended consequences on the human environment of planned interventions (policies, programmes, plans, projects) so as to bring about a more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human environment. This important Handbook presents an indispensable overview of the range of new methods and of the conceptual advances in SIA. Recent increased attention to social considerations has led to substantial development in the techniques useful to, and the thinking in, SIA. A distinguished group of contributors provides an up-to-date and comprehensive account of the cutting-edge in SIA development. This Handbook outlines a new understanding and definition of SIA and, as such, will be an invaluable reference tool for both practitioners and scholars at different levels working in the fields of SIA and environmental studies (including both impact assessment and management).