Takehiko Murayama

Social impacts induced by a development project in Tanzania: a case of airport expansion

Abstract Land acquisitions, undertaken to accommodate development activities, are causing increasing enmity between local communities and developers in Tanzania, as well as in other parts of Africa and the world. In many cases, it is likely that the socioeconomic costs incurred by local communities are greater than the benefits obtained from these activities. This study carried out an assessment of the changes in household living conditions before and after resettlement due to an airport expansion project in the city of Dar es Salaam. A door-to-door survey of 190 affected households and interviews with other relevant stakeholders revealed that the country has insufficient legal provisions to compel the government to adequately assist those affected. Resettlement has increased the rate of unemployment among the displaced community and triggered problems related to public service access. The impacts observed were accelerated by the lack of an effective national legislative system, the local administration’s poor operational capacity, and conflicts between the displaced population and the host community.

The Quality on Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Reports in Thailand

This study evaluates the public participation section of environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports in Thailand by using a grading system and the principal component analysis (PCA) method. The aim is to identify the key factors that influence quality in the topic of public participation in EIA reports. Of the EIA reports, 82 were analysed according to date and project type in the transportation sector in Thailand. The results indicated that 84.6% of total EIA reports in the period between 1992 and 2005 are of low quality with respect to the topic of public participation. In contrast, in the period after 2005 the quality of this topic received grades of A and B, which accounted for 76.7% of the total EIA reports in this period. The PCA method demonstrates the process of development in public participation in Thailand. Key factors are shown to be the methods of public participation and public information accessibility.

220 Current situation on the hygiene management of local government for preventing asbestos dispersal during building demolition

Introduction The aim of this study is to improve the level of the hygiene management at asbestos demolition site. For this aim, we conducted a questionnaire survey to understand the differences in local governments’ efforts towards to the hygiene management. We consider that a good example of a local government must be a reference to others. Now, it is banned to use asbestos and asbestos-containing materials except temporary exemption for some uses. Asbestos survey and removal before the demolition of buildings are requested by the law. Measurement asbestos concentration in the air during the demolition is also requested. However, some cases were found where asbestos surveys were not perfect. Furthermore, asbestos dispersal in the demolition was confirmed in some cases. We would like to prevent the dispersal of asbestos into general environment. Methods We have conducted a questionnaire survey among 159 local governments that make onsite inspection at the time of the demolition. Result Our analysis focuses mainly on how the system of the local government influences onsite inspection at the time of the demolition. The result of this survey shows current situation of onsite inspection (check with eyes, measurement of asbestos concentration in the air, instruction to demolition stuffs). In addition, we have made a study of the suitable asbestos measurement method adjusted to the demolition site. We also have considered cost-effectiveness of dispersal of asbestos. Discussion One of our key findings is difficulty of that all demolition sites are made onsite inspection by the local governments in the current government system. On the other hand, some local government make onsite inspection to all demolition sites with good systems and methods. We hope that these good systems and methods should.be shared to other local governments

Quantitative analysis of impact of awareness-raising activities on organic solid waste separation behaviour in Balikpapan City, Indonesia:

Many cities in Indonesia are under pressure to reduce solid waste and dispose of it properly. In response to this pressure, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Indonesian Government have implemented a solid waste separation and collection project to reduce solid waste in the target area (810 households) of Balikpapan City. We used a cluster randomised controlled trial method to measure the impact of awareness-raising activities that were introduced by the project on residents’ organic solid waste separation behaviour. The level of properly separated organic solid waste increased by 6.0% in areas that conducted awareness-raising activities. Meanwhile, the level decreased by 3.6% in areas that did not conduct similar activities. Therefore, in relative comparison, awareness-raising increased the level by 9.6%. A comparison among small communities in the target area confirmed that awareness-raising activities had a significant impact on organic solid waste separation. High frequencies of monitoring at waste stations and door-to-door visits by community members had a positive impact on organic solid waste separation. A correlation between the proximity of environmental volunteers’ houses to waste stations and a high level of separation was also confirmed. The awareness-raising activities introduced by the project led to a significant increase in the separation of organic solid waste.

Why Did the Asbestos Disaster Spread

A historical review of the asbestos issue in Japan indicates that the social application of medical knowledge, the activities of governments and industries, the economic advantage of asbestos products in the short term, and the knowledge gap among stakeholders are the four factors which caused the asbestos disaster to spread in Japan. While some experts reported that the Japanese society needed asbestos products for modernization, nonasbestos products originally existed in many fields before asbestos products were developed. It is rational to recognize that asbestos products were over-used, and its use should at least have been limited. Asbestos products are still being used in developing countries where medical knowledge is not widely shared, and some Asian countries have increased their amounts of asbestos consumption in recent years. Some companies in Western countries, and national governments which have asbestos mines, encourage the diffusion of asbestos products among Asian countries. Such behavior, based on the knowledge gap, will be seen as criminal in future generations.