Development projects are intended to modify social and natural environments in order to create or enhance the economic well being and livelihood and other benefits that are valued by society. This goal, however, can be denied through unanticipated or unintended negative social or environmental impacts that reduce desired benefits or, if severe enough, threaten the sustainability of the project.

Potential Socio-Economic Impacts of Road Projects

Socio-economic benefits provided by road and highway projects include all-weather reliability, reduced transportation costs, increased access to markets for local produce and products, access to new employment centres, employment of local workers on the project itself, better access to health care and other social services, and strengthening of local economies. However, roads and highways can produce complex negative impacts. The impacts of improvement, rehabilitation and maintenance projects, although usually more limited, can still be significant, not only on natural resources and systems but also on the social and cultural environment.

The transport sector is a significant source of employment. Employment benefits are likely to be both direct (operations and maintenance of infrastructure) and indirect (surplus services and materials), with associated changes in income and livelihoods for those employed. It is anticipated that the skill-base of the local labour pool will be strengthened, thereby enhancing prospects for future employment.

Road construction and maintenance activities may also affect socio-economic conditions by creating more difficult trading conditions, thus having a negative effect on livelihoods. Activities such as noise or dusty/odorous equipment or materials stockpiles may discourage trading in immediate vicinity. Some traders may easily relocate nearby, however some may not. Although numbers may be small, effects could be significant by increasing individuals’ vulnerability to poverty. Finally local trading may increase at some locations due to the presence of local workforces.

Disruption to traffic and access caused by construction works is also expected to affect socio-economic conditions through increased journey times.

This Procedural Manual on Social Assessment provides an outline of the relevant issues that users should take into account in conducting a social assessment of the road improvement (rehabilitation/maintenance) programme.