Appropriate TechnologyAppropriate Technology(1st way for a country to try to develop)

Study the following two projects that are designed to help a country develop and decide which one you think is best and

why

Project 1Project 1

The Three Gorges Dam,The Three Gorges Dam,

China China

DetailsDetails

The largest Dam The largest Dam in the world and in the world and

the largest the largest construction construction project, everproject, ever

CostCost

$75 billion the $75 billion the money has been money has been loaned by major loaned by major

world banksworld banks

BenefitsBenefits

1.1. May produce up to 10% May produce up to 10% China energy (cleanly) China energy (cleanly)

2.2. Will help prevent Will help prevent flooding which has flooding which has caused loss of lifecaused loss of life

3.3. Navigation improved up Navigation improved up the gorge. (good for the gorge. (good for trade) trade)

ProblemsProblems

1.1. It will flood the homes of 2 It will flood the homes of 2 million peoplemillion people

2.2. Will change one of the most Will change one of the most beautiful gorges for ever, beautiful gorges for ever, effecting wildlife and destroying effecting wildlife and destroying ancient archeological sitesancient archeological sites

3.3. Silt no longer deposited on land Silt no longer deposited on land (making it fertile) instead caught (making it fertile) instead caught behind dam blocking turbines.behind dam blocking turbines.

4.4. Cost and debt?Cost and debt?

Project 2Project 2

Mud Brick Compressor,Mud Brick Compressor,

Zambia Zambia

Look at the pictures read the info. What is your opinion of this project?

DetailsDetails

A man powered A man powered tool that tool that

compresses mud compresses mud into bricksinto bricks

The mud brick compressor

The mud bricks baking in the sun

Finished bricks

CostCost

$100 the local $100 the local community can community can

group together to group together to pay for itpay for it

BenefitsBenefits

1.1. Makes stronger bricksMakes stronger bricks

2.2. Bricks made quicker and Bricks made quicker and more regular sizemore regular size

3.3. Run and maintained by Run and maintained by the local communitythe local community

ProblemsProblems

1.1. Does not earn any Does not earn any moneymoney

2.2. Does not attract any Does not attract any publicity publicity

3.3. Does not solve povertyDoes not solve poverty

Which project and why?Which project and why?

Which of the two development Which of the two development projects you think is best and projects you think is best and

why?why?

3 Gorges Dam or Mud Brick Compressor3 Gorges Dam or Mud Brick Compressor

Appropriate Technology

Appropriate technology = technology that is suited to the needs, skills, knowledge and wealth of local people in the environment which they live.

What do you think is meant by this statement?

Can you think of inappropriate and appropriate technology?

Affordable(initial costs

& parts)

Sustainable(last long term

but not damageenv’t)

Right for thepeople (run by locals & what

they need)

Right for the place (local tech.

& expertise)

AppropriateTechnology

Projects

Appropriate V’s Hi-tech technology

Appropriate technology Advanced Technology

•Smaller scale•Cheaper equipment•Small demand for energy•Large demand for labour (LEDC’s have lots available)•Uses local resources•Involves traditional skills

•Large scale•Expensive equipment•Big demand for energy•Employs few people•Often needs imported materials•Needs training in new skills

3 Gorges Dam v’s Mud Brick Compressor3 Gorges Dam v’s Mud Brick Compressor

Using the table and what you have learnt about these two projects explain which one is not using ‘appropriate technology.’ Explain why.

Sustainable Development Sustainable Development ProjectProject

Case study:

Hand pump boreholes, Kenya

Water management in Kenya The Problem • Poor quantity (amount) of water

– dry– population rapidly increasing– increasingly using irrigation– more water is needed for industry– As develops more people own washing machines, flushing

toilets etc these all increase use

• Poor quality of water – Don’t have the money to treat their water. – Don’t have proper sanitation so polluted water mixes with

drinking water– Disease spread quickly due to warm climate (diarrhoea (from

drinking dirty water) kills more people in Africa than any other cause)

Solution by Oxfam in Kenya

• 400 Boreholes + hand pumps installed (£1000 each)• Educated villagers on how to store water • Water quality – to avoid stagnant water and polluting the

drinking water they were educated to:• to locate animal drinking troughs outside the village• to wash clothes away from the borehole area• to place concrete slabs around the standpipe to keep

area dry• About how to avoid stagnant pools that become breeding

grounds for mosquitoes that spread malaria.• to dig proper long drops to ensure sewage and drinking

water do not mix (over 4m deep holes)

Improvements brought…(in groups try to work out the improvements that will be

brought by this project)

Economic improvements

Environmental improvements

Social improvements

Sustainable Development • For Kenya, the handpump is a better solution to the

water problem because it sustainable. This means it does not damage the environment, it is cheaper, does not need expensive maintenance and gives Kenyans the ability to look after themselves rather

than depending on outsiders .

Reasons why it is sustainableUse all the images and the

table to explain why this

project is sustainable

Useful wordsUseful wordsLocal skills, not handouts, non dependant, labour intensive, low energy input, cheap, community based, self value and worth, pride, educationOxfam, environmental benefit

Community based

Appropriate technology

Cost Energy

Handouts

Pride

Health Benefits

Mosquitoes