Critical factors for successful implementation of social impact assessment: An international comparative study and its application in Hong Kong

This paper examines the critical factors for successful implementation of social impact assessment (SIA), based on a review of international experience of SIA implementation in the United States, Canada and Australia. Several common features are found in the SIA policy of these countries. First, the provision of assessment or consideration of social impacts caused by development projects is clearly stated in both federal and state legislative framework. The assessment of social impacts is generally incorporated under the framework of environmental impact assessment (EIA) although recent development of SIA as an individual and separate planning tool is significant. Secondly, as the assessment of social impacts is under the EIA framework, the SIA process is governed by associated authorities. Thirdly, SIA reports are usually prepared by third-party agencies which consist of professional SIA practitioners and social scientists in order to maintain the independence and quality of SIA process. Lastly, increasing emphasis has been placed on adopting a participatory approach in SIA process instead of the traditional technocratic assessment. It can be concluded that a comprehensive legislative framework is critical to successful implementation of SIA at constitutional level and detailed guidelines and would provide considerable assistance to SIA practitioners. At operational level, a participatory approach would ensure that community knowledge is incorporated into the planning and decision-making process of development. Finally, this paper examines how Hong Kong applies SIA for its urban renewal projects and evaluates its effectiveness in promoting a 'people-centred' urban renewal strategy.