Planned relocation in Peru

Advancing from well-meant legislation to good practice

Bibliographic Data

ID13055832
AuthorsJonas Bergmann (0000-0001-8939-4779, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume11
Issue3
Pages365-375
Publication date2021-05-24
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2190-6491 • E-ISSN: 2190-6483
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s13412-021-00699-w
OpenAlexW3164384171
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited55

Along Peru’s rainforest rivers, rising flood extremes are increasingly exceeding coping capacities of vulnerable households. Peru has detailed legislation that embraces planned relocation as a strategic solution to such situations and various relocation projects are underway across the country. This research brief analyzes well-being consequences for two communities requesting relocation, using qualitative data collected from experts and 30 affected people. Initial results emphasize that weak governance, poverty, third-party involvement, and community action have influenced relocation outcomes. Delays and fragmented implementation have threatened people’s well-being. One community, waiting for land to relocate since 2015, has suffered from continued hazard exposure, deteriorated material conditions, and reduced subjective well-being. The second community achieved relocation only after a decade in detrimental limbo. Although livelihood challenges persist, its inhabitants now benefit from better market access and decreased exposure, leading to higher subjective well-being. With rising needs for relocation worldwide, the cases highlight that detailed legislation is not sufficient to safeguard people’s well-being. Advancing from well-meant legislation to good practice requires adequate institutional capacity, effective mechanisms for oversight and accountability, better engagement of third parties, and dedicated efforts to strengthen community agency

Accountability · Agency (philosophy · Agriculture · Business · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Legislation · Livelihood · Political science · Poverty · Relocation · Sociology · Sustainability · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Disaster Management and Resilience · Hydropower, Displacement, Environmental Impact · Law

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Open DOIOpen Access