Displaced Population Because of Infrastructure Projects in The Dominican Republic

Abstract

This pioneer research in the Dominican Republic aimed at understanding the reality of the displaced population in Villa Bao with the purpose of the construction of the Tavera-Bao dam, considering a participatory process. The study considered various strategies and techniques, a survey, focus groups, direct observation, inventory, bibliographic and documentary, photographic evaluation, base and thematic mapping, which allowed a diagnosis of the situation of the population, from socio-economic aspects, environmental, infrastructure and services, with the identification of psychosocial impact on families. The results identified improvements in some aspects of quality of life, but with a negative perception of the process of settlement, with flaws in planning, lack of community involvement; in addition, the absence of legislation and public policies that protect the rights of this population who are forcibly displaced because of infrastructure and “development” projects.