Development-induced displacement and resettlement: An overview of issues and interventions

Abstract

Development-induced displacement and resettlement (DIDR) involves multi-dimensional and multi-tiered processes and issues. Extensive research in this field has made important contributions to our understanding of DIDR by conceptualising and analysing the processes of displacement and resettlement, impoverishment and reconstruction of livelihood, policy and governance, economic, social-cultural and environmental consequences of development, and resettlement projects on millions of displaced people and their communities. However, a lack of inter-disciplinary dialogue, narrow perspectives within DIDR literature and the top-down approaches concerning the displaced are current issues. There is a pressing need, in both research and policy, to address the vital challenge of how to achieve ‘resettlement with development’ outcomes in the changing global contexts of development.