The need for basic goods and services for the poor, livelihoods for the unemployed and action to save the environment continues to be unmet.   In developing countries, new economic opportunities must necessarily be enhanced as these countries are engaged in building up economic infrastructure and housing.

Conventional wisdom maintains that large scale industry will supply the goods and services needed by people in a clean, efficient and cost-effective manner.  Our conviction is that this is not possible.   There has been a considerable progress in the manufacturing efficiency but that is about all.  In any case, these efficiencies are derived from increasing the degrees of automation.  Large sections of our society are marginalized and end up having no real purchasing power.   In effect, the very nature of technology used puts a cap on the extent to which economic development can take place.   Material intensities, mass movement of resources, transport energy and distribution costs associated with such scales of manufacturing and marketing will continue to be at levels that nature cannot support.

Are there any alternatives?  Global Sustainability  must be driven by a mix of clean and efficient production systems at all scales, including the micro and small, that create jobs by the millions.  And, these jobs must be productive enough to improve people’s incomes.  Essentially, developing societies will need a large number of technology based sustainable livelihoods.

DA’s work in sustainable building materials and technology has thrown up results which, when multiplied on a large scale, can have an astonishingly significant impact.  Over 300 Micro Concrete Roofing tile enterprises have, for example, been set up in the last five years in rural areas with a private investment of about Rs. 90,000/- each.  Each enterprise produces 4,000-5,000 square metres of durable roofing per year; employs 5-8 persons; saves 40-60% energy over its nearest competing product - the fired clay tile and is profitable.  More importantly, with approximately 25 to 30 million tiles having been laid, these service providers have met the roofing needs of thousands of rural families.

The more important aspect is neither the products nor technologies themselves but the manner in which they have, in some cases and can in many more, be developed and mass disseminated.   This is where independent sector organisations play a key role in their own right and by networking with the academia, government, funding agencies and private sector.

This issue highlights focuses of a several piece jigsaw puzzle that, when put together, would describe a set of sustainable processes to improve the way we house ourselves without destroying  the environment.  In particular, we look at the new age technologies as a means of accelerating demand generation and innovative delivery mechanisms to ensure fulfillment of every need.

The Development Alternatives family wishes you a very happy and prosperous New Year.  q

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