User:Megan Fritz/Sandbox

= Appropriate Technology in Developing Countries =

Appropriate Technology are sustainable projects, implemented in developing countries, to improve quality of life by taking the social, cultural, and economic needs of the community into consideration.

Appropriate technology projects are simple, low cost projects. About 70% of the world population lives in developing countries with, 75-80% out of that, living in rural regions undefined. In mostly all rural areas of developing countries, there is a low literacy rate, minimal income, poor infrastructure, poor health and sanitation, and a limited amount of resources undefined. The main goal of appropriate technology projects is to improve the quality of life.

History
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Appropriate Technology Process and Design
By looking back in history and examining past projects, lessons have been learned and strategies have been identified to improve the implementation of appropriate technology projects. There are three steps that can be taken to properly start an appropriate technology project.


 * 1)	Identify the Problem: Conduct thorough research about the community and their needs
 * 2)	Choose a Project Type:
 * a.	Identify already existing appropriate technologies
 * b.	Improve existing technology for the specific community and their need
 * c.	Adapt other technology to the community and their culture
 * d.	Research and develop a new appropriate technology
 * 3)	Implement the Project undefined

Once the first two steps are completed, the design process begins. There are two types of designs: hard and soft. Hard design has specific standards that are set for the materials and dimensions of each part. The design may fail if the dimensions or materials are incorrect. Soft designs are modified in the field to more appropriately fit the community. This includes using available materials and skilled labor. Appropriate technology most commonly uses soft design to adapt the project to the local culture undefined. For example, a galvanized pipe is needed to connect a source box to Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe further down a gravity fed water distribution system. If galvanized pipe is unavailable within the region of intended community or if it is expensive, then another solution might be found. Another pipe material could be used or more innovative ideas can be explored to substitute the galvanized pipe. If a break tank is necessary, a local masonry will be hired using his/her own methods. Therefore the design will not be exactly as planned. Ten criteria are identified that will cause a project to be more sustainable. Seven of these 10 criteria are related to the design of the project.

Successful Project Criteria
To implement a successful and sustainable appropriate technology project, 10 criteria have been developed.


 * 1)	System Independence: Functions with minimal outside interaction and support systems, facilities, aids etc.… The technology contains the supporting materials, and any equipment that is necessary for the project to be functional [1].
 * 2)	Culture Considerations: Cultural aspects of the intended community are taken into consideration to ensure it meshes with the society [1].
 * 3)	Cost of Technology: Affordable by the members of the community [1].
 * 4)	Evolutionary Capacity of Technology: Designed to allow for it to be expanded and recreated in more communities who have the same need by the people of the community [1].
 * 5)	Multi-purpose Technology: Has the ability to accomplish a multitude of applications [1].
 * 6)	Local Materials: Consists of materials that can be bought and produced locally to ensure any part can be replaced. This gives a boost to the economy and reduces the amount of materials that need to be exported [6].
 * 7)	Leader/Committee: Community contains a board of members who are in charge of managing and maintaining the appropriate technology. They are responsible for receiving taxes from all members of the community to pay for maintenance [2].
 * 8)	Simple Design: Design is as simple as possible so all community members are able to understand the technology and are able to maintain it. Simpler designs are easier to maintain and operate [5].
 * 9)	Community Input: All members of the community, including women, elders, and children, voice their needs to identify the most appropriate technology project to fit the needs of the community [3].
 * 10)	 Community Involvement: Includes involvement from all members of the community, including planning, implementation, and overseeing the project so they feel a sense of ownership [2].

Moving Towards Sustainability
Without sustainability, appropriate technology projects cannot last. Acknowledging cultural and socioeconomic factors of the community will make the project more sustainable. It is important to communicate, listen, and learn before finding a viable solution that is adapted to fit the local culture, customs, and needs. Technology has the potential to benefit a community while making a lasting difference. Technology of developed nations is occasionally implemented with force in underdeveloped third world countries, instead of being integrated into the existing culture of the community [4]. Many wastewater treatment systems that were built in the Mediterranean were not sustainable because the implemented technology was copied from the West instead of adapting the Western technology to the local culture, land, and climate. One of the most common reasons for a project failing is the new technology is not appropriate to the community where it was implemented [3]. There are eight identified categories of appropriate technology projects that are incorporated with various types of engineering. These types of engineering include Mechanical, Structural, Environmental, Chemical, and Electrical.

Sanitation
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Transportation
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Water Supply and Treatment
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Cooking
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Refrigeration
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Energy
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Communication Technology
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Infrastructure
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