Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Social Sustainability

Research into the displacement of peoples following large projects generally shows that they have been made worse off by displacement, and that their human rights have been infringed. At the same time, the growing prevalence of international standards, such as the World Bank Safeguard Policies, IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, heightens expectations for better standards to be met globally. These standards; however, lack practical guidance on how to effectively implement social performance practises for the sustained improvement of communities. Moreover, the diverse cultural and developmental contexts across regions and countries pose further challenges to social performance, and to fully complying with international benchmarks.