Appropriate technology for development in the third world

Abstract

From earliest time; man has attempted, with the resources available to him , to satisfy his basic woods of food, shelter, security and self satisfaction, Prom at stone age and Iron Age, through the development of tools arid energy, the story is generally, well known how modern industrialised man in cold climates has come to be. However,-in Zimbabwe and similar countries of the hot dry overcrowded Third World, the situation is very different, with a labour surplus, and often little idea of alternative options to poverty and apathy. The men, woman and children of such a socialised economy must be able to appreciate a good reason for change with no social- disadvantages before they will begin to change. Man's technology in the past has always reflected his social environment, where designer and user are part of the same environment. The new engineer for Africa must accept the criteria of Africa if his creativity is to be appropriate and acceptable. This paper will use a case study and examples to illustrate the need for engineers to participate in new rural and urban- technology.