Carrying Out Social Impact Analysis - Case Study Example

Social Impact Assessment Name of the professor Name of University Date Introduction Colson (2007) defines Social impact assessment as the process of assessing and determining in prior the social penalty that are likely to follow from specific actions and policy from project development more so in the context of appropriate national state on environmental policy legislation. The social impacts consist of all cultural and social consequences to human population of any private or public actions that alter the ways in which people live, work, relate to each other, play, organize themselves and cope with each other within the society. Cultural influences include changes to the values, principles and viewpoint of individuals that direct and downsize their cognition of themselves and their humanity. In carrying out social impact analysis, there are six major guidelines, which an organization should follow. First, there is a need to understanding managing and controlling the social impacts. Secondly, the methodology should be able to predict probable impacts from changes in strategies or development projects that are to be implemented. Thirdly, to be able to pinpoint developing and implementing lessening strategies in order to reduce potential social influences of a scheme on the human community. Fourthly, the design should be able to develop and implement monitoring programs to identify unanticipated social impacts that might develop because of social change. Fifth, the design should be developed and implement mitigation mechanisms that deal with unexpected impacts as they develop. Lastly, the design should be able to evaluate social impacts caused by earlier development, project, technological change, particular technology and government policy. This study reviews the SIA about its methodology and completeness of Hume Highway Hotel project. Background of the project In a set up like a Hotel project, there will be obvious potential risk of social impact from the sale of liquor to the community as identified in the article and environmental impact, which has, not be mentioned in the discussion. Alcohol abuse is not easy to be eliminated as reported by CGG, (2004). The article clearly captures the sale of liquor abuse among the society members as a potential risk society is exposed. There will be an unreasonable risk of social detriment to the community in the event that the DA is approved and new hotel site. Some of the main areas discussed in the proposal of social impacts include any change in liquor license density, the group, which is at risk in the community for liquor abuse but the articles failed to touch on the environmental impact and potential benefits the society may derive from this kind of project. The density of license transferred is well captured in the social impact assessment the relocation of the license attached to the commercial Hotel will not alter the number of liquor license in the new location within the LGA. However, the relocation of the license will increase the number of the license premises within casual and the correspondingly reduce the number of license within the Liverpool area. The theoretical basis relates the alcohol-related assault and alcohol density (CGG, 2004). The relationship between outlet density and social health has been found to be minimal. The study further relates the outlet density with assault and other related vices. Though minimal if any between the outlet density and the social impact, many outlets are seen as a source of entertainment hence the impact is minimal. In this study, the analysis has not fully covered how the density outlets can be controlled and another payback that can be consequent from the outlets density within the area. The role of the indicators is to provide a pointer to aspects of social disadvantage and in turn relative susceptibility to social harm that comes out of new-licensed premises. It is not possible of a single socio-economic factor cannot predict the likelihood of using alcohol in a dangerous manner. The study identified various factors that the community could potentially face as risk of alcohol. The related harm could comprise of individuals from a non-English speaking background, households in rented accommodation and the social housing provider accommodation. The study further identified those working as labors and related occupations. The single parent household could also be affected and the unemployed individuals. The study clearly classified the potential individuals who could be at risk of alcohol abuse and the study has if a single economic factor like unemployment cannot be used in determining the extent through which the formation of the hotel may influence in the social impact. This finding gives a good precedent under which the control mechanism and design may be formed to help in controlling the social impact of the new establishment on the locals. The disadvantaged group in the suburb of Causal largely is not affected as compared to other states where the club will be established like in the LGA. The lower income earners are mostly affected with the alcohol hence needs to be affected. The study has failed to outline the extent through which the liquor licensing will affect the rich and the middle class and how this should be mitigated. Other factors, which influence the relationship, include drug illegality, prostitution activities among other factors. The study has quoted very little literature concerning the health aspect and licensing Act on the relationship of drug abuse and the poverty index Livingston et.al (2007) study in which he stated that despite the broad similarities in the findings on the specific relationships between the outlet density and the violence rate, it mostly vary from place to place. The study on the document titled guidelines and principles for social impact assessment ought to have been included in this study. This is not because it has been widely accepted by the scientist but because it fits within the NEPA process and regulation, which are used within U.S and the federal State agencies. The study quoted modeling by Livingstone et.al 2007 in identifying hot spots where they define at least fifteen outlets to be able to create entertainment district. The similar stands are taken by NDRI report of the year 20007 and the reports states that in case license are given to short distance outlets are able to create hot spot zones. The study has identified the scoping to identify the full range of probable social impacts and the area covered. From the literature review, the characteristics of the hot spot include busy commercial streets with many entertainment and licensed premises. From the identification and data collected, the suburb area where the relocation has taken place is not a high risk and crime area. The rate of crime areas is lower compared to other areas like LGA and other NSW areas (Gow, 2008). Within the CBD, there is high concentrated of non-domestic violence related assault and malice. This is due to the high concentration of people and activities within the central business district. Environmental and social impacts Concerning the proposed hotel, license issues have a good record of accomplishment in analyzing and managing the non-domestic related violence. There is no sensitive community facility near the premise except some childcare and primary school, which are around 320 miners away from the proposed facility. There is no effect of the proposed hotel in the operations of these facilities in any way; hence, the facility should be relocated to this new area (Salter, 2008). It is noted that the proposed use of the facility is appropriate in the enterprise location zone. Given the past and the expected increase in the population within the locality, the facility can meet up the social and leisure needs of a wide range of the residents (Salter, 2008). The facility is well removed from other facility, and this will not be subject to problems associated venue hopping or clustering of the impact. The rate at which individuals are moving out of the bar is another important factor that needs consideration more so in mitigating the potential conflict of assault related activities. The study suggests that it is the highest incidence of social harm in relation to alcohol-related violence and crime arise after the closing term. With the availability of parking space within the premise, and lack of licensed premises within the locality, the patrons are expected to disperse people in an orderly manner with security staff. The study dwells mostly on the violent related impacts of the facility more than the environmental impact of the facility. There is a need to balance the two aspects of the social aspect when carrying out social impact assessment. The assessment further suggested some of the ways through which the conflict after closing hours can be mitigated. Queuing of patrons particularly will play very important role in terms of implementing the RSA measures like checking of ID, which would cause some delay hence causing delay for the flow of customers when they are exiting the premises reducing chances of the conflict. One factors considered in making this assumption is that the hotel will never reach its theoretical maximum population capacity and would do so very rarely hence the parking related conflict will be minimized. During the peak hours, the security on duty will be monitoring the queue, which might be a form in the process. The patrons will be allowed to take the drinks outside the premises so that they can monitor the general behavior and movement of customers. The management of the hotel will mostly rely on the PoM practices set on the management practices of the hotel. Some of the sensitive facilities within the area according to the impact assessment are the public primary school. The assessment is very accurate in reporting the main areas of concerning carrying out literature review on another related impact assessment that have been done on a similar project. The inaccuracies and biases is seen on the way it reports mostly on social conflict like domestic violence, quarrels among customers and the general security within the premises while assuming core impact to the society as a whole and other environmental concerns (Smith, 2011). A factor like noise pollution is totally omitted from the social impact assessment of the relocation project discussed in this article. There are live bands and other music played in the bar and restaurants. The study has assumes the music and other noise-related activities and how they will impact on the society and how it can be mitigated. A complete social impact should consist of both environmental and social impacts. Another environmental issue assumed in this study is water pollution and how sewerage system will be maintained in relation to the water waste disposal of the hotel. The nature of the business may result into high waste release that must be properly managed and failure to do so may results into environmental hazards to the community around like a school. Conclusion In giving recommendation on the social impacts, the study has done well in elaborating the steps to be taken in handling the social devices, which may results because of liquor abuse, clustering the social status of the clients and this can be mitigated. The SIA outlines how the hotel management will manage outflow and inflow of customers, installation of CCTV to increase security surveillance within the area and how the patrons will be strategically located to prevent and control any kind of incidences that might be experience within the premises. Reference CGG, 2004 Social and Environmental Assessment Report, Proposed Andhra Pradesh Urban Reforms and Municipal Services Project, 2004 Colson, E. (2007). The Social Consequences of Resettlement: The Itnpact of the Kariba Resettlement upon the Gwembe Tongo. Manchester: Manchester Univ. Press Gow, G. (2008) New Approaches to Disaster Communications: Towards a Global Communications Lifeline Infrastructure. Unpublished graduate thesis. University of Calgary Salter, J. 2008, Risk Management in the Emergency Management Context in Manchester University, Manchester, UK Smith, D, (2011) Risk Management for Safer Communities, Melbourne Manchester University, Manchester, UK Read More