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Ted Downing Profile Page
Ted Downing
Forum Ranking Administrator
Total Posts 2
Hits 323
Online Status OFFLINE
Member Since 10/16/2007 22:06:41
Last Online 12/20/2008 21:43:46
Last Updated 05/04/2008 09:30:29
 

Additional Info

Website: www.ted-downing.com
Occupation: Research Professor of Social Development
Company: University of Arizona
City: Tucson
State: Arizona
Zip Code: 85719
Country: USA
Phone #: 1-520-323-8766
Fax #: 1-520-326-3338
Short Statement: Social Geometry Theory and Development-induced Displacement
Regretfully, involuntary resettlement policy and practice is not based on a firm theory of spatial and temporal dislocation. The building blocks for construction of a powerful theory of social dislocation are still scattered about - in the form of bits and pieces of observations, concepts, and insights of practitioners and policy makers.
Resettlement rips routine relations of social time and social space, laying bare critical, but often ignored dimensions of culture. Frequently, the end result is irreversible social and cultural impoverishment. What is less clear is "why?"
My work argues that involuntary displacement forces people to reexamine primary cultural questions which, under routine circumstances need not be considered. Key among these questions is "where are we?" What I call my theory of social geometry of a people consists of infinite intersections of socially-constructed spaces, socially-constructed times, and socially-constructed personages. And, for many cultures, the geometry also defines "who are we?" Evidence reveals patterns in the way that involuntary displacement disrupts social geometry. Mitigating development-displacement-induced, social impoverishment begins by identifying and then reconstructing, in a culturally appropriate manner, the social geometry of the displaced. For a full description of my social geometry theory, with examples see http://www.ted-downing.com/PAPERS/didi1frames.htm.
Displacement Experience: Working on update policy of Asian Development Bank.
Consultant to The World Bank Group - 13 years. Currently a fact-finder for The Inspection Panel of the WOrld Bank and its counterpart, The Independent Review Mechanism of the African Development Bank (Uganda Bujagali II Project and the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) project in Nigeria). Appraisal and supervision, Aguamilpa (Solidaridad) and Zimapan dams 1987-1993; International Panel member, Yacyreta dam 1994; Evaluation 1994; Evaluation of indigenous benefit sharing arrangments at the IFC-sponsored, Pangue Dam, 1995-96. Monitoring of impact of involuntary resettlement on the Pehuenche Indians, Ralco dam 2000-present.
Publications: Mitigating social impoverishment when people are involuntarily displaced.

See all publications at www.ted-downing.com under the heading "Writings"
Accomplishments: President, International - Society of Applied Anthropology, 1985-1987. Chair, International Network on Displacement and Resettlement.
Highest Degree: Ph.D. Stanford 1973

Articles

DateTitle
Wednesday, 08 October 2008Revised Asian Development Bank Resettlement Policy Open To Public Comment
Monday, 02 June 2008Ethics of Development Induced-Displacement Workshop proceedings
Sunday, 11 May 2008Downing and Scudder criticize proposed Update of ADB resettlement policy
Friday, 14 March 2008Panama displacements: Damnation publication by Letz
Friday, 14 March 2008Turkey's Ilisu Hydropower Project report released
Tuesday, 13 November 2007 Avoiding New Poverty: Mining-Induced Displacement and Resettlement

Forum


Last 10 Forum Posts
DateSubjectCategoryHits
10/08/2008 12:28:35Re:My first postTest forum A_1225
Revised Asian Development Bank Resettlement Policy Open To Public Comment
 

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