Author: Harrieth Godwin Mtae, PhD (Open University of Tanzania)
Abstract: Human relocation, whether driven by development, environmental pressures or climate change, profoundly reshapes social, economic and cultural landscapes, with impacts varying across social groups and regions. This study synthesized global evidence on the multidimensional effects of relocation, with a focus on the differential experiences of women, men, youth, elders and marginalized minorities. The analysis is organized according to Cernea’s Impoverishment Risks and Reconstruction (IRR) Model, Social Disruption Theory and Sen’s Capability Approach, which represent economic threats, social dislocation, and the diversity of agency and resilience, respectively. The study concludes that while women experience disproportionately lost opportunities from disrupted informal livelihoods, men endure unstable job conditions in formal labor markets. While youth are subject to long-term setbacks from interrupted education and vocational training, elders lose cultural authority; the Indigenous/minority face compounded disadvantages by historical marginalization. While the study identified some gaps, particularly in terms of longitudinal and cross-regional studies, the findings underscore the effectiveness of participatory, gender-sensitive and culturally tailored interventions. By aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 5, 10, 11, 13), this study provides a multidimensional understanding of relocation and informs equitable, inclusive resettlement policies to mitigate adverse impacts and promote sustainable development.