Paper short abstract:

Using approaches from anthropology and archaeology and in particular the notions landscape and ‘sense of place’, this paper seeks to develop a framework for the better understanding of the non-livelihood impacts of resettlement.

Paper long abstract:

The physical resettlement of people, to make way for the construction of a mine or other industrial development of a similar scale, usually has significant negative impacts on those resettled. These impacts include disruption to essential economic activities and the loss, and subsequent re-establishing, of the patterns of daily life. In many instances those resettled are already vulnerable or marginalised, and thus, least well prepared to cope with the stresses and strains of resettlement. In response to repeated failures to adequately protect the vulnerabilities of those resettled, recent efforts have focussed on ensuring that those resettled are, at the very least, 'no worse off'. In current practice, the judgement of 'no worse off' is made by comparing a pre-resettlement livelihoods baseline with post-resettlement livelihoods. Critical to success is the effectiveness of livelihood restoration programmes. As important as these efforts are, and even where livelihood restoration is successful, those resettled still report a profound sense of loss. Using approaches from anthropology and archaeology and in particular the notions landscape and 'sense of place', this paper seeks to develop a framework for the better understanding of the non-livelihood impacts of resettlement.