Barriers to Appropriate Technologies for Sustainable Development

The field of appropriate technology (AT), which has traditionally included small-scale, energy efficient and low-cost solutions, can be of tremendous assistance to many of the sustainable development challenges regarding food and water security, health, shelter, education and work opportunities. Unfortunately, there has not yet been a significant advancement or uptake of AT by major players in the field. Some of the biggest barriers include: 1) AT perceived as inferior or poor persons technology , 2) questions of technological robustness, design, fit and transferability, 3) funding and financing, 4) institutional support, as well as 5) general barriers associated with tackling rural poverty. With the rise of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for online networking and knowledge sharing, the prospect for collaborative open-access and open-source AT is growing. A much greater focus on networking, collaboration, demand-led innovation and community participation can be of significant help to build the necessary knowledge base, networks and the critical mass exposure for the field of AT. This in turn, can improve sustainable development efforts worldwide.

Autorentext

Ivana Zelenika comes from the School of Environmental Studies at Queen's University, Canada. Her latest work and publications focused on the field of appropriate technology for sustainable development, and the cumulative energy potential of solar photovoltaics. Ms Zelenika is currently working as a consultant with the Engineering for Change (E4C).