Evaluation of the Social Impact of the Development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone on Local Communities

The development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a national strategicproject aimed at promoting economic growth through tourism development; However,large-scale tourism development may also generate various social impacts on localcommunities. This study aims to evaluate the social impacts of the Mandalika SEZdevelopment on local communities, particularly in terms of socio-economic conditions,socio-cultural changes, and land tenure. This research employs a qualitative approachwith a case study design. Data were collected through interviews, field observations, anddocumentation involving local communities, community leaders, local governmentrepresentatives, and area managers. Data analysis was conducted using the Social ImpactAssessment (SIA) approach referring to the International Association for ImpactAssessment (IAIA) to identify and evaluate the social consequences of the developmentprocess. The results indicate that the development of the Mandalika SEZ has created neweconomic opportunities for local communities, especially in tourism-related sectors,services, and small-scale businesses. However, these benefits have not been evenlydistributed due to disparities in skills, education levels, and access to economic resources.In addition, the development has influenced social interactions, cultural practices, andland use patterns. Therefore, inclusive and participatory development policies arerequired to promote social equity and ensure socially sustainable tourism developmentin the Mandalika SEZ.