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About philosophy of Fritz Schumacher and work of Practical Action, UK
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Introduction to Practical Action and its work in urban waste and participatory
planning
Dr Mansoor AliInternational Projects Manager
Practical Action (ITDG), [email protected]
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