Social impacts induced by a development project in Tanzania: a case of airport expansion

Abstract

Land acquisitions, undertaken to accommodate development activities, are causing increasing enmity between local communities and developers in Tanzania, as well as in other parts of Africa and the world. In many cases, it is likely that the socioeconomic costs incurred by local communities are greater than the benefits obtained from these activities. This study carried out an assessment of the changes in household living conditions before and after resettlement due to an airport expansion project in the city of Dar es Salaam. A door-to-door survey of 190 affected households and interviews with other relevant stakeholders revealed that the country has insufficient legal provisions to compel the government to adequately assist those affected. Resettlement has increased the rate of unemployment among the displaced community and triggered problems related to public service access. The impacts observed were accelerated by the lack of an effective national legislative system, the local administration’s poor operational capacity, and conflicts between the displaced population and the host community.