Appropriate technology basics
What makes "appropriate technology" is determined by context. Therefore, none of these are absolute - they are simply common features that make a technology "appropriate" to a world where many suffer a lack of basic necessities, a lack of money, and lack of equipment and technological expertise. They are also technologies that have a gentle impact on the earth:
- Small, as in Small is Beautiful. Small often means affordable and adaptable, and puts the control in the hands of the users. Small also means local, which offers benefits in resilience.
- Few moving parts - less to go wrong (similar to the KISS principle, & the Durable, efficient, stoïc-principle ).
- Can be built locally
- Made with locally available materials
- Easily repaired, by local people with locally available equipment.
- Affordable
The source of the technology doesn't matter much - it matters much more that it is appropriate. While the source of a technology sometimes becomes an issue in discussions of technology for international development, technology from anywhere can have uptake and make an impact, as evidenced by the mobile phone.
In practice
Some additional practical considerations are:
- Using parts in the design that are already mass produced and that are globally or widely available reduces the cost allot. For example, ie tyres that are already manufactured for automobiles are frequently used as plant pots in permaculture designs, ...
- Reducing the amount of material needed is also useful. Dimensioning ie metal parts to only the thickness as required for the structure's rigidity, allows to produce more parts and will thus reduce the cost.
- Design using Assimilation of several similar devices, wherever possible. This could allow you to combine the best of several worlds, hereby improving the design.
Specific contexts
Every context is unique, but certain categories to be considered include:
- Appropriate technology for refugees
- Specific countries and cultures, e.g.: