Evaluation of the Possible Socio – Economic Effects of Dam Projects on People Living on Agricultural Activities: The Case of Laleli Dam in Turkey

Abstract

It was aimed in the scope of the present study to evaluate the socio – economic structures of people living in the project area of Laleli Dam, whose life style is expected to change with the application of the project and to determine to what extents and size the project may affect these people using Rapid Rural Appraisal technique. Method of the study involves surveying, meeting people, asking questions, listening to their responses and the talks about the solutions and opportunities. Socioeconomic structures of the people living in the study area tried to be determined using also a questionnaire addition to the evaluation meetings. Results obtained from the study showed that total number of people to be affected by the project may be 2.273 among whom 1560 is expected to be affected directly. Average expected household expropriation price to come from the project was determined in the villages included in the project area to be 92.374 Turkish Liras (TL). It was concluded in the study that it will not be possible for people to be affected directly by the project to lead or reconstitute their life and the order they have been sustaining since they were born in the same area anymore through the expropriation price they will be given.

Keywords: Dam construction, communities, social costs, socio-economic impact, livelihoods