About Practical Action

Introduction to Practical Action and its work in urban waste and participatory

planning

Dr Mansoor AliInternational Projects Manager

Practical Action (ITDG), UKmansoor.ali@practicalaction.org.uk

Purpose of this talk

• To tell you about the history and existing work of Practical Action (ex Intermediate Technology)

• To give you more details of our work in urban waste and participatory planning

• To discuss how students could work as ‘Engineers without Borders’

Fritz Schumacher – Founder of ITDG

Author of

‘Small is Beautiful’

This is what I believe

Good Works

Guide for Perplexed

Schumacher’s main critique on the development model (1967-1970)

• Excessive consumption• Using people as machines, work is

more than mass production• Technology needs to be within the

control of people• Happiness and well being as

important indicators of development

Schumacher’s main predictions

• There will be greater un-employment

• There will be shortage of natural resources e.g. fuel

• There will be negative environmental impacts e.g. climate

Various dimensions of Schumacher’s philosophy

• Changing ourselves – internal • People centred development

model• Alternative economic

development• Alternative and appropriate

technologies

Reasons for the Formation of Intermediate Technology Group in 1967 – Initial Model of Working

Now Practical Action Works in 7 Countries

Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Peru

With 550 local staff 150 projects and A turnover of £20 million/ annum

Any Questions and Comments on Practical Action

Urban Slums;

Target Groups: Urban Slum Dwellers

© Theo Schilderman / ITDG

© Zul / ITDG

Engineers without Border Challenge; Carefully thinking about the reward and goals you are aiming

Challenges for Engineers Without BorderChallenge ; Working for a weaker client – poor people in a poor country and those working for poor

Challenge: Ability to look broadly and understand connections

Challenge: Thinking about technologies differently; plans, designs and delivery or opportunity, affordability and capacity to operate and maintain

Challenges of Realistic Standards and Designs – international vs local

Challenge: Knowledge and communication with poor and those working for poor

Various tools etc.

Various tools etc.

Working with Water Utility in Mukuru

© Lucy Stevens / ITDG© Zul / ITDG

Knowledge and learning

Practical Answer sustained

Summary of Key Points

• Technology – combination of physical things and what people do about this

• Integrated waste and participatory planning is about understanding and incorporating various perspectives

• Engineers without Borders is an exciting role but also very challenging

• It is always important to keep the larger picture and purpose in your mind