URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES & MANAGEMENT | appropriate technology Promoting the use of appropriate technology, include the experimentation with new or improved construction techniques, the application of low cost building technology, the use of appropriate materials and the directions of applied research. .

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local level

UN-Habitat (2002) - Best Practice - Community Bridge Building, Kathmandu [pdf] Nepal - BBLL was established to aid Nepali Communities to revive their traditional bridge building skills and self-help attitude. The technology that was subsequently developed was built on the traditional bridge of Baglung-District while local materials and local labor were maximized and the environmental impact minimized. .

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city level

Kumara, D.G.J. Prema (2000) - Compost Bins as an Alternative Solution for the Household Solid Waste Problem in Urban Areas - Sevanatha [pdf] Sri Lanka - Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council (DMMC) is the second largest municipal council and is located adjacent to the Colombo Municipality in Sri Lanka. The total population in the DMMC area was approximately 217,000 in 1999. The total land area of DMMC is 21 sq. kilometres, of which 40% is covered with the low-lying wetlands and the beaches. Major industries of Colombo Metropolitan Area are located within DMMC borders. Like many other cities in the developing countries, the DMMC urban area has been experiencing the challenges of managing its solid waste. .

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international level

Coupe, Stuart (2001) - Technology and Poverty - ITDG [pdf] Poor people must be enabled to make technology choices. In developing countries, e.g. 65-75% of sub-Saharan Africa, most poor people do not have access to formal sector employment. They must forge their livelihoods in the private, informal sector, working in their fields, homes and small workshops, making vital decisions about the best use of their limited assets in order to survive on the tightest of margins. Development practitioners should apply the three A's test to whatever they do and ask themselves if the technology they are proposing is; 1. Affordable, 2. Appropriate, 3. Accessible. .

Pauli, Gunter (1999) - Towards a Technology Strategy for Sustainable Livelihoods, UNDP [pdf] There are 1.3 billion people living in extreme poverty and suffering from major shortcomings in terms of food, water, health services, housing, energy and jobs. With so many basic needs unsatisfied, there must be a way to translate human creativity (Research and Development) into tools (Science and Technology) for the betterment of human living conditions. In addition, we are witnessing the finite nature of natural resources and the beginnings of large-scale negative consequences of not designing technologies with the environment: We have seen as well the negative consequences of not designing the process within the context of the human user’s skills, interests, priorities, cultural orientation and resources. This paper lays the groundwork for consideration of these issues and attempts to set forth some of the strategies for adaptation of technology in the context of the Sustainable livelihoods approach. .

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