ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. Dam-induced resettlement often changes the lives of resettlers dramatically. A report by the World Commission on Dams (WCD) estimated that the all-time cumulative displacement caused by dam construction worldwide was 40 million to 80 million people. Dam construction can have impacts on communities and the social environment. The idea of large dam development appears to be nearly obsolete in developed countries where people generally enjoy an adequate supply of water and electricity. As well, most developing countries see dam development for hydroelectric power generation as feasible option for clean energy development. Dam developments, however, inevitably have adverse and irreversible impacts on the natural and human environments. Theories of displacement and resettlement for dam development have inherent constraints, especially in that those theories tend to have the purpose of serving for a better planning of compensation and the design and preparation of resettlement programs.
