Integrated impact assessment for sustainable development: A case study approach

The realization of sustainable development requires the use of different di sciplinary approaches to the impact assessment of development proposals, wh ich can give a balanced consideration to the multidimensional nature of sus tainable development targets. This need has led to a growing interest in th e integration of different methods of appraisal and evaluation into impact assessment methodology and practice. This article contributes to the develo pment of a useable methodology for conducting integrated impact assessment (sometimes called integrated appraisal) by using case study experiences of development proposals. Three case studies, each of which has significant ec onomic, environmental and social dimensions, are examined to see how apprai sal was carried out in practice. Their primary purpose is to clarify some o f the approaches to integrated appraisal currently in use as a prelude to i dentifying ways in which practice may be strengthened in the future. (C) 20 01 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.