Human Development is not a term used in casual conversation, it describes the current approach used by large aide international development organizations like the United Nations; but most people are familiar with the terms “emergency relief” and “humanitarian intervention”. Emergency relief focuses on providing assistance to save lives, alleviate suffering, or protect populations; while human development uses various societal levers to improve living conditions. The United Nation has been publishing an annual report on human development since 1990 (UNDP 1990), and it is widely recognized as a consistent measure of global living conditions. Development strategies revolve around a transfer of something valuable to an aided population: education, vaccination, fertilizers, etc. In technology-based human development projects, technology artefacts (a medical record computer system, solar electrification systems, irrigation) and related knowledge (education, operation and maintenance instruction) are those valuables being transferred. The benefits of technology are specific to each economy, and dependant on how quickly technology is adapted and integrated in the local economy (Cypher & Dietz 2008). The value of ideas increases to the degree they can be shared with and used by others (Houghton & Sheehan 2000): the more knowledge is diffused and adopted, the greater its value. The success of free and open-source software exemplifies this principle, and a growing number of scholars agree that the model also applies to hardware (Balka et al. 2009; Thompson 2008). This thesis presents research on open source hardware and its knowledge-sharing approach as a means to human development. It presents a model that leverages the collaborative design methodology of open hardware for adoption of artefacts that address pressing “humanitarian technology” needs, for example, in health or education. To achieve this, critical literature reviews on open source and on technology-based human development are first done; the findings from literature are then complemented with the findings from interviews and case studies to model a sustainable deployment strategy for open source use in human development projects. Adopting the human development paradigm defined in the first Human Development Report (“HDR1990”), which aims at three people-centered aspirations: to live a long and healthy life, to be educated and to have access to resources needed for a decent standard of living (UNDP 1990). This thesis research models its deployment strategy using the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), showing that: (a) open source hardware, like any technology used in development, can magnify effective development programs when used appropriately; (b) Dr. E.F. Schumacher’s appropriate technology principles, and P. Polak’s reinstatement, mesh very well with the open source methodology, as long as required constituents in the aided communities are taken care of (availability of electricity, internet access, technical know-how, etc.); (c) extreme affordability is particularly important for open source hardware, because a sustainable strategy is based on the belief that aided population would want to procure these artifacts if they improve their earning potential; (d) participatory human development practices work well with the open source methodology, but “solutions” must be fully verified before deployment. This document is structured in 5 chapters: introduction, literature review, research strategies, case studies and interviews, and conclusion. The appendix include three articles published on parallel work for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) on defining a strategy for the IEEE’s use of opens source technology in their humanitarian activities. This research provides insight into the new topic of open source hardware and its proposed use in the mission critical context of international development; because entrepreneurship is a key enabler to the strategy it describes, I hope the research can support future work on that aspect.

The application of information and communication technology (ICT) in socioeconomic development often referred to as “ICT for development” (ICT4D) is an increasingly relevant concern both academically as well as within development organisations on all levels.   This master thesis project has explored opportunities, constraints and challenges to designing and implementing mobile phone based ICT services for an organisation working with sustainable agricultural development in West Bengal, India. Through a participatory design process with smallholding farmers a simple, low-cost platform for prototyping and implementing mobile phone based ICT services using interactive voice response as interaction modality was developed. It was found that even inexperienced and illiterate users were able to understand and make use of such services with minimal training. On the basis of services deployed on this platform, context specific constraints and opportunities were identified as well as the appropriateness of the ICT design evaluated. Finally, use of participation was critically reviewed and found to be a necessary element of ICT design in this context yet requiring a high level of reflexivity and contextual understanding from the researcher or designer in order to contribute to development goals. / Användning av informations och kommunikationsteknologi (ICT) för socioekonomisk utveckling ofta kallat ”ICT for development” (ICT4D) är i allt högre grad en relevant fråga både akademiskt och inom utvecklingsorganisationer på alla nivåer. Detta exjobb utforskade möjligheter, begränsningar och utmaningar för introduktionen av mobilbaserade ICT-tjänster åt en organisation som arbetar med hållbar jordbruksutveckling i Västbengalen i Indien. Genom en deltagande designprocess med småskaliga bönder så utvecklades en enkel, billig plattform för att skapa prototyper och implementera mobiltjänster som använder sig av ”Interactive Voice Response” som interaktionsmodalitet. Även personer med begränsad erfarenhet av ICT samt begränsad läs- och skrivkunnighet kunde förstå och använda tjänster utvecklade på plattformen med minimal träning. Med grund i tjänster utvecklade på denna plattform så utvärderades lämpligheten för ICT i den lokala kontexten och flera kontext-specifika begränsningar och utmaningar identifierades. Slutligen så utvärderades ”deltagande” i design processen metodologiskt och fanns vara ett nödvändigt element av ICT-design i denna kontext samtidigt som det kräver en hög grad av reflexivitet och kontext-specifik förståelse från forskaren eller designern för att kunna bidra till utvecklingsmål.

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The present worldwide scenario is one of land-based livelihoods that are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. While being committed to environmental goals, India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change released in 2008, reaffirms that maintaining a high growth rate is essential to raising the standard of living of the people. Curbing emissions while maintaining high growth rates and achieving the Millennium Development Goals without increase in fossil fuel consumption, both appear to be paradoxes. Community-based micro energy initiatives have the potential to support productive development without fossil fuel consumption. This study examines small scale, village level biodiesel production for local use, based on unutilized and under-utilized, existing oil seeds in remote rural locations in Orissa, India. The village level biodiesel model is a response to large agro-industrial models that promote plantation of energy crops like jatropha, and to centralized production of biofuels as an alternative to petrodiesel. Village level biodiesel adds value to the large quantity of locally unutilized forest seeds and underutilized short duration oilseed crops like niger that are exported as birdfeed, to fuel livelihoods and boost the local economy. The development of a village level biodiesel model in a participatory manner within an agroecosystem boundary, and its ability to catalyze livelihoods that are sustainable, have been analyzed. Participant observation techniques have been used to develop narrative case studies for three village communities. Methodology for the study is based on Participatory Action Research approaches (Kemmis et al., 2000), where the research process has contributed to community action. The Sustainable Livelihood approach forms an important foundation of this research. A conceptual framework adapted from the original Sustainable Livelihood Framework (Scoones, 1998), to include Complex Systems Thinking (Holling, et al., 1995, Kay, et al., 1999) was used to analyze case studies in two communities of Orissa, India. Informed by results in the first two case communities, the same framework was used to develop a livelihood strategy based on Village Level Biodiesel (VLB), in a third cluster of villages also in Orissa. Three additional inclusions are proposed as a result of the research, to address some gaps in the original framework. These are the concepts of (1) Entitlements (Leach, et al., 1997) to understand power structures, (2) Adaptation Continuum (McGray 2007) to include issues of climate impacts and (3) Rural Livelihood System (Hogger, 2004) as a complex whole relating the inner reality of the farmer to the outer reality of a swiftly globalizing world. Resilience of livelihoods was identified as a key outcome parameter. Three main considerations for assessing sustainability and resilience of livelihoods, as defined by this research are (1) potential for livelihood diversity and intensity, (2) connectedness of the institutions involved in the decision making process, and (3) adaptation – that is resilience of livelihoods in terms of their capacity to resist drivers of vulnerability and confront impacts of climate change. The VLB in Orissa approaches livelihood diversity and intensity through a three-pronged approach consisting of biodiesel fuelled livelihoods, sustainable agriculture and local value addition. Careful attention is given to the specifics of the context in designing the VLB, thus enhancing the adaptive capacity of the technology. In the context of India, with the devolution of power to the local level, the Gram Sabha, or the village governing council, has political powers and the ability to negotiate with the State because of the authority vested in it by the 73rd amendment to the Constitution of India, and can additionally regulate the market at the local level. Leveraging the powers of this entity may provide the VLB with the needed impetus to replicate and move beyond pilot implementations. Obstacles in the implementation and strategies to overcome these have been identified. The challenge to future research and action is to span regional, national and global levels to influence policy makers to take cognizance of and promote the VLB as a viable development alternative to agro-industrial models designed to generate transport fuel.

The present worldwide scenario is one of land-based livelihoods that are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. While being committed to environmental goals, India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change released in 2008, reaffirms that maintaining a high growth rate is essential to raising the standard of living of the people. Curbing emissions while maintaining high growth rates and achieving the Millennium Development Goals without increase in fossil fuel consumption, both appear to be paradoxes. Community-based micro energy initiatives have the potential to support productive development without fossil fuel consumption. This study examines small scale, village level biodiesel production for local use, based on unutilized and under-utilized, existing oil seeds in remote rural locations in Orissa, India. The village level biodiesel model is a response to large agro-industrial models that promote plantation of energy crops like jatropha, and to centralized production of biofuels as an alternative to petrodiesel. Village level biodiesel adds value to the large quantity of locally unutilized forest seeds and underutilized short duration oilseed crops like niger that are exported as birdfeed, to fuel livelihoods and boost the local economy. The development of a village level biodiesel model in a participatory manner within an agroecosystem boundary, and its ability to catalyze livelihoods that are sustainable, have been analyzed. Participant observation techniques have been used to develop narrative case studies for three village communities. Methodology for the study is based on Participatory Action Research approaches (Kemmis et al., 2000), where the research process has contributed to community action. The Sustainable Livelihood approach forms an important foundation of this research. A conceptual framework adapted from the original Sustainable Livelihood Framework (Scoones, 1998), to include Complex Systems Thinking (Holling, et al., 1995, Kay, et al., 1999) was used to analyze case studies in two communities of Orissa, India. Informed by results in the first two case communities, the same framework was used to develop a livelihood strategy based on Village Level Biodiesel (VLB), in a third cluster of villages also in Orissa. Three additional inclusions are proposed as a result of the research, to address some gaps in the original framework. These are the concepts of (1) Entitlements (Leach, et al., 1997) to understand power structures, (2) Adaptation Continuum (McGray 2007) to include issues of climate impacts and (3) Rural Livelihood System (Hogger, 2004) as a complex whole relating the inner reality of the farmer to the outer reality of a swiftly globalizing world. Resilience of livelihoods was identified as a key outcome parameter. Three main considerations for assessing sustainability and resilience of livelihoods, as defined by this research are (1) potential for livelihood diversity and intensity, (2) connectedness of the institutions involved in the decision making process, and (3) adaptation – that is resilience of livelihoods in terms of their capacity to resist drivers of vulnerability and confront impacts of climate change. The VLB in Orissa approaches livelihood diversity and intensity through a three-pronged approach consisting of biodiesel fuelled livelihoods, sustainable agriculture and local value addition. Careful attention is given to the specifics of the context in designing the VLB, thus enhancing the adaptive capacity of the technology. In the context of India, with the devolution of power to the local level, the Gram Sabha, or the village governing council, has political powers and the ability to negotiate with the State because of the authority vested in it by the 73rd amendment to the Constitution of India, and can additionally regulate the market at the local level. Leveraging the powers of this entity may provide the VLB with the needed impetus to replicate and move beyond pilot implementations. Obstacles in the implementation and strategies to overcome these have been identified. The challenge to future research and action is to span regional, national and global levels to influence policy makers to take cognizance of and promote the VLB as a viable development alternative to agro-industrial models designed to generate transport fuel.

Examensarbete.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:35:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:59:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

CAPES / O aumento na geração dos resíduos sólidos é um problema para a sociedade: encontrar formas para o seu equacionamento e disposição ambientalmente segura é um dos maiores desafios atuais em política pública. A gestão inadequada de resíduos gera uma série de problemas ambientais, sociais e econômicos. Assim, esta dissertação busca determinar as variáveis mais relevantes para proposição e avaliação de políticas públicas para a gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos, aplicados ao município de Curitiba, no sentido de aprimorá-la, apontando adequações ou aperfeiçoamentos em seu atual modelo. O trabalho avalia modelos teóricos de gestão de resíduos, apresentando a proposição teórica de um modelo com base nos estudados. Este modelo serve como encaminhamento para a definição das variáveis mais relevantes, contando com a participação de especialistas, além de um método de análise multivariada. Tal método permite definir um modelo ajustado à percepção do painel de especialista. A pesquisa é exploratória e descritiva: utilizou-se, em um primeiro momento, levantamento bibliográfico e documental; em um segundo, fez-se o arrolamento das principais variáveis com especialistas. O procedimento utilizou a técnica Delphi de levantamento com especialistas da área, que colaboraram com a avaliação e complementação das variáveis presentes na gestão de resíduos. Com base na análise estrutural, o software possibilitou descrever um sistema que relaciona todas as variáveis que constituem o sistema, permitindo evidenciá-las de acordo com o impacto e influencia na evolução do sistema. Com base nisso, definiu-se um modelo de análise da avaliação e proposição da gestão de resíduos, que serve para uma avaliação das políticas de gestão de resíduos realizadas em Curitiba. Com relação aos resultados, Curitiba atende à maioria das variáveis consideradas mais relevantes. Entre elas estão: Custo; Planejamento; Fiscalização e informação; Aterro sanitário; Interação e participação; Geração per capita; Prevenção e controle; Coleta e Reciclagem, que são preponderantes em qualquer modelo e necessitam de desenvolvimento, avaliação e manutenção. / The increase in the generation of solid waste is a problem for society and there is a need to find ways for its equation. Environmentally safe disposal is one of the biggest challenges today. The management of municipal solid waste is essential to treat the waste, because inadequate management contributes to environmental, social and economic problems. This dissertation sought to determine the most relevant variables for proposing and evaluating public policies for the management of municipal solid waste, applied to the city of Curitiba. Their determination helps to improve solid waste management in the municipality, collaborating with adjustments or improvements to your current model. The study evaluated theoretical models of waste management and presented a theoretical proposition of a model from these studied. This model served as guide for definition of relevant variables and had the help of experts and a method of multivariate analysis to define the variables. The method allowed us to define a model adjusted the perception of expert panel. The research is exploratory and descriptive, as to their goal using bibliographic and documentary method and in a second time a survey of the main variables is used to experts. The procedure used the Delphi survey technique with specialists, who collaborated with the evaluation and complementation of variables present in waste management. After evaluation, a matrix was constructed, based on the answers given and then the matrix was analyzed by MICMAC © software, tool for structuring ideas. Based on the structural analysis, the software allowed describing a system where relationships with all the variables that make up the system are performed, allowing display the main variables that impact and can influence the evolution of the system. From this, an analysis model of the assessment and proposal for waste management, which served for a review of policies for waste management, was held in Curitiba defined. Regarding the results, Curitiba meets most of the variables considered most relevant. Among them are: Cost, Planning, Monitoring and information; Landfill; Interaction and participation, per capita generation; Prevention and Control; Collection and; Recycling, which are crucial to any model and require the development, evaluation and maintenance.

CAPES / O aumento na geração dos resíduos sólidos é um problema para a sociedade: encontrar formas para o seu equacionamento e disposição ambientalmente segura é um dos maiores desafios atuais em política pública. A gestão inadequada de resíduos gera uma série de problemas ambientais, sociais e econômicos. Assim, esta dissertação busca determinar as variáveis mais relevantes para proposição e avaliação de políticas públicas para a gestão de resíduos sólidos urbanos, aplicados ao município de Curitiba, no sentido de aprimorá-la, apontando adequações ou aperfeiçoamentos em seu atual modelo. O trabalho avalia modelos teóricos de gestão de resíduos, apresentando a proposição teórica de um modelo com base nos estudados. Este modelo serve como encaminhamento para a definição das variáveis mais relevantes, contando com a participação de especialistas, além de um método de análise multivariada. Tal método permite definir um modelo ajustado à percepção do painel de especialista. A pesquisa é exploratória e descritiva: utilizou-se, em um primeiro momento, levantamento bibliográfico e documental; em um segundo, fez-se o arrolamento das principais variáveis com especialistas. O procedimento utilizou a técnica Delphi de levantamento com especialistas da área, que colaboraram com a avaliação e complementação das variáveis presentes na gestão de resíduos. Com base na análise estrutural, o software possibilitou descrever um sistema que relaciona todas as variáveis que constituem o sistema, permitindo evidenciá-las de acordo com o impacto e influencia na evolução do sistema. Com base nisso, definiu-se um modelo de análise da avaliação e proposição da gestão de resíduos, que serve para uma avaliação das políticas de gestão de resíduos realizadas em Curitiba. Com relação aos resultados, Curitiba atende à maioria das variáveis consideradas mais relevantes. Entre elas estão: Custo; Planejamento; Fiscalização e informação; Aterro sanitário; Interação e participação; Geração per capita; Prevenção e controle; Coleta e Reciclagem, que são preponderantes em qualquer modelo e necessitam de desenvolvimento, avaliação e manutenção. / The increase in the generation of solid waste is a problem for society and there is a need to find ways for its equation. Environmentally safe disposal is one of the biggest challenges today. The management of municipal solid waste is essential to treat the waste, because inadequate management contributes to environmental, social and economic problems. This dissertation sought to determine the most relevant variables for proposing and evaluating public policies for the management of municipal solid waste, applied to the city of Curitiba. Their determination helps to improve solid waste management in the municipality, collaborating with adjustments or improvements to your current model. The study evaluated theoretical models of waste management and presented a theoretical proposition of a model from these studied. This model served as guide for definition of relevant variables and had the help of experts and a method of multivariate analysis to define the variables. The method allowed us to define a model adjusted the perception of expert panel. The research is exploratory and descriptive, as to their goal using bibliographic and documentary method and in a second time a survey of the main variables is used to experts. The procedure used the Delphi survey technique with specialists, who collaborated with the evaluation and complementation of variables present in waste management. After evaluation, a matrix was constructed, based on the answers given and then the matrix was analyzed by MICMAC © software, tool for structuring ideas. Based on the structural analysis, the software allowed describing a system where relationships with all the variables that make up the system are performed, allowing display the main variables that impact and can influence the evolution of the system. From this, an analysis model of the assessment and proposal for waste management, which served for a review of policies for waste management, was held in Curitiba defined. Regarding the results, Curitiba meets most of the variables considered most relevant. Among them are: Cost, Planning, Monitoring and information; Landfill; Interaction and participation, per capita generation; Prevention and Control; Collection and; Recycling, which are crucial to any model and require the development, evaluation and maintenance.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:35:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:59:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Este trabalho apresenta a contribuição obtida no desenvolvimento de um Gerador de Eletricidade Híbrido (HYBRIDGEN), com tecnologia nacional, focado nos sistemas de terceira geração de energia elétrica híbrido, composto por um módulo de células a combustível tipo PEMFC, associado a um acumulador chumbo ácido. Mostra-se também a sua capacidade de operar em modo contínuo, carga com demanda variável e fator de carga inferior a 50%. Foram abordados quatro temas principais. O primeiro refere-se a um estudo para a melhoria da eficácia na conversão de energia em corrente contínua (cc), ao regular o potencial de saída do conversor cc-cc. A energia é proveniente do módulo de célula a combustível de 1 kWe, equipado com sistema térmico de refrigeração e sistema de alimentação de gases, aqui denominados MCC1. Para tal, foi construído o modelo matemático do sistema conversor de corrente contínua (sistema conversor cc-cc), com solução suportada em equações diferenciais algébricas, ensaios no MCC1, bem como em simulação computacional no programa MATLAB7®. O segundo tema refere-se ao desenvolvimento do projeto e montagem do protótipo do HYBRIDGEN devido à inexistência no mercado brasileiro de um equipamento com as características necessárias tanto para a pesquisa, quanto para uso comercial. Desenvolveu-se uma placa controladora para o acumulador (PCC), os esquemas elétricos, os barramentos e o sistema de relés. Também foi utilizado o MCC1 em desenvolvimento pelo IPEN e ELECTROCELL® com tecnologia 100% nacional. O HYBRIDGEN foi instalado em um sistema móvel. O terceiro tema refere-se à análise de estabilidade do modelo matemático do sistema conversor cc-cc. Utilizou-se de quatro testes de estabilidade, sendo: 1 - pela Resposta em Frequência ao utilizar o Teorema do Mapeamento, de Nyquist; 2 - Lugar das Raízes, de Nyquist; 3 - função de teste Degrau, em pontos de operação e, 4 - função de teste Impulso, em pontos de operação. Por fim, apresentaram-se os resultados dos ensaios de potencial e corrente de uma célula a combustível unitária de 25 cm2, do MCC1, e do HYBRIDGEN. No desenvolvimento dos primeiros testes o MCC1 atingiu 704,55 We, (potência considerada condição predominante de operação). A seguir, demonstrou-se a capacidade do HYBRIDGEN para simultaneamente: alimentar cargas em corrente contínua; carregar o acumulador de 45 Ah; alimentar o inversor de 2 kWe e o autotransformador, para fornecer energia a equipamentos em 12Vcc, 127 Vac e 220Vac, 60 Hz, todos num total de 819,52 We. Esses resultados foram obtidos mesmo com limitações na refrigeração ventilada do MCC1, observadas no decorrer dos testes. Assim, o HYBRIDGEN se mostrou viável tecnicamente, e com grande potencial de uso. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP