ADN20 - Social, Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment of Public Investments in the Portuguese Northern Region

Abstract

The research problem of this article consists in the assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts of projects subject to Environemental Impact Assessment (EIA) pursued in the Portuguese Northern Region (CCDRN) along the last twenty years, and their contribution to the reinforcement of competitiveness and quality of life of people living in this region. This subject fits the theme of the conference because: (a) it analyses the assumptions, conditions and results of real investments in the Portuguese Northern Region; (b) this analysis shapes a social, economic and environmental learning processes along the last 20 years, (c) this learning process and this critical reflection support a deeper approach to governance issues where the CCDRN has been involved (in terms of its institutional framework, and in terms of its references, benchmarks and goals that have guided its decisions). Finally, this research proposes a better articulation between innovative strategic tools to assess economic, social and environmental impacts of investments and the action of that Commission. This research is intended to contribute to surmount the gap between the environmental impact assessment studies and the traditional tools to evaluate investments, on the one hand, and the new challenges faced in Environmental Governance and Planning, on the other, through a reflection of the effective consequences of investment policies for populations.