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Pathways to Sustainable Livelihood Development for Reservoir Resettlers Based on the SLA-TPB Integrated Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Weiwei Zhang

    (School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Kaiwen Yao

    (School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Dan Zhang

    (School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Youping Peng

    (School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
    China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, Beijing 100120, China)

  • Lantao Tu

    (School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
    MWR General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design, Beijing 100120, China)

Abstract

In the resettlement process of water conservancy and hydropower projects, the effective development of resettlers’ livelihoods constitutes a vital component for safeguarding the rights of land-expropriated farmers and maintaining social stability. The sustainability of resettlers’ livelihoods depends on both resource endowments and their behavioral intentions. However, the traditional Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) has largely neglected behavioral driving mechanisms, thereby limiting the precision of related research. Drawing on the SLA and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study incorporates willingness to develop as a perceived behavioral control variable into the analysis of resettlers’ livelihood capital and constructs a research model that outlines sustainable development pathways under the influence of livelihood status and perceived control. Based on this model, the sustainable livelihood capacity of 195 resettler households in Guangdong Province was comprehensively evaluated, after which the obstacle degree model was used to identify key obstacle factors across various livelihood strategies. The results demonstrate that sustainable livelihood capacity is influenced by livelihood capital, the livelihood environment, and willingness to develop, with the latter and financial capital emerging as the most significant obstacles. This framework can support the sustainable livelihood development of resettlers under evolving conditions and offer policy-makers sustainability-oriented recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiwei Zhang & Kaiwen Yao & Dan Zhang & Youping Peng & Lantao Tu, 2025. "Pathways to Sustainable Livelihood Development for Reservoir Resettlers Based on the SLA-TPB Integrated Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-27, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9254-:d:1774359
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    References listed on IDEAS

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