Not everything that counts can be counted

We sat down with WSP’s Social Impact Specialist Hilary Konigkramer to talk about why social wellbeing has so often been overlooked -  and why that’s finally starting to change. 

When people hear 'social wellbeing' in the context of infrastructure, it can sound a bit abstract. What does it actually mean?

Hilary: Social wellbeing is really about how projects affect people’s day‑to‑day lives. Most infrastructure projects have strong social drivers, meaning that they are built to improve the quality of life for communities - whether that’s improved connectivity, safer travel, improved access to services, or stronger local economies.  

But those benefits don’t always show up clearly in traditional project assessments. Social wellbeing asks us to look beyond the numbers and think about how a project affects the ability of people and communities to live well, during construction, once it’s operating and into the future. 

Why have those social impacts been under‑recognised for so long?

Hilary: A lot comes down to how decisions have traditionally been made. Cost–benefit analysis is very good at measuring economic impacts - things you can easily quantify and put a dollar value on.  

Social impacts are harder to count. How, for example, do you put a number on community cohesion, a sense of safety, or the disruption people feel when their environment changes? Because they’re harder to measure, social impacts have often been treated as secondary, or assumed, rather than properly assessed. 

What’s interesting about the shift happening now?

Hilary: There’s a growing recognition that social outcomes matter, especially on larger or more complex projects. We’re seeing more interest in social impact assessments, and more understanding that they add real value when they’re done early. Instead of social aspects being considered rather superficially, there is an improved appreciation that a more comprehensive assessment can help shape decisions, highlight risks, and identify opportunities to improve outcomes for communities. 

What value do social impact assessments add to traditional analysis and assessment approaches?

Hilary: Traditional assessments tend to focus on those impacts that are easy to measure, often excluding those hard to measure benefits like community well-being, social equity or improved quality of life.   

Social impact assessment starts with understanding the existing social environment - who lives in an area, how they use it, and what matters to them. That means using data, like census information, but also listening directly to people through engagement, interviews, and surveys.  

From there, you can assess how a project might affect things like accessibility, connectivity, amenity, community character, and potential impacts on vulnerable groups. This provides decision-makers with an evidence-based assessment of the anticipated social outcomes of a project, rather than just assumptions. 

How do you make sure decision‑makers take this qualitative information more seriously?

Hilary: Not everything that counts can be counted - but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be considered. The key is to present social impacts alongside economic and technical information so decision-makers have all the relevant information they need to make an informed decision.  

Relevant social criteria need to be included into early stage multi‑criteria analysis for projects and clear visual summaries can help show where social risks or benefits sit. If a better understanding of the social impacts is needed, social impact assessment should be undertaken. When decision‑makers can see the full picture, they’re better equipped to make balanced choices. 

Why does all of this matter for project success?

Hilary: Infrastructure projects don’t exist in isolation - they happen in communities. When social impacts aren’t well understood, projects can run into opposition, delays, and extra costs later on.  

Engaging early and taking social wellbeing seriously helps build trust, improves design, and brings communities along on the journey. In the long run, projects that deliver strong social outcomes are more resilient, more widely supported, and, ultimately, more successful.