Mapping the Knowledge Domain of Affected Local Community Participation Research in Megaproject-Induced Displacement

Abstract

Megaproject-induced displacement of populations will now occur more frequently due to massive infrastructure investment in the post-COVID-19 era. The participatory process for megaprojects starts with those in the vicinity; local communities who are directly involved. However, few studies have attempted to map the global knowledge of local community participation in the planning stage of megaprojects. A systematic literature review of public participation in the context of megaproject-induced displacement was conducted to determine these features, and to provide local community insights which are useful for managing social issues around megaprojects and the effects of participation. A total of 32 journal publications were analyzed from the Web of Science (WoS) database, drawing from an initial group of 456 based on citations from 2012 to 2022 to identify the evolution of knowledge trends. It was found that the nonfulfillment participatory process always fails to recognize groups of residents and assess the impacts of megaproject-induced displacement caused to local communities. This lack of recognition at the governmental level contributes to conflict; placing the local community at risk of uncertain megaproject environments. Broader public participation involves local communities, who be harmed by the development strategies of megaprojects, catalyzing their willingness to participate and encourage greater inclusiveness in their interactions, as well as balancing the megaproject’s economic, ecologic, and social interests. The study results demonstrate a consensus was reached, and the effects of megaproject-induced displacement can be mediated.

Analyzing the role of social value in megaprojects: toward a new performance framework

“…Significant effort has been applied to understanding the possible causes of failure in megaprojects. Megaprojects often have an underestimated effect on local communities and residents, who may be affected by (temporary or permanent) changes in their livelihood conditions or life quality (Abdullah and Rahman, 2021; Zhang et al , 2022). Crises are more frequently related to project managers’ responsibilities and forecasting ability (Wang and Pitsis, 2020) than the effect on the livability of the local area, especially in cases of industrialization.…”

Placing Indian Village System in the Centre of Development-Induced Displacement Discourse

“…Over the last three years forced displacement has reached the highest recorded level since World War II (Medzini & Lev Ari, 2018). In 2019, it is estimated that globally around 15 million people have been forced to displace due to the construction of megaprojects in their home countries (Zhang et al 2022).The economic development leading to industrial growth and expansion ultimately creates the problem of displacement that causes disruption of production systems, fractures in kinship groups and loss of assets and jobs. The history of development is replete with examples of displacement and spatial reorganization.…”