CHAPTER-2

Development approach (8 marks)

Shrutee Karna
Department of Civil Engineering
Thapathali Campus IOE, TU

Technology, Environment and Society BCE IV/II 1

 2.1. LEP (labor based, environment friendly and participatory),
2.2. Community management, engineers role as facilitator,
2.3. Key features of infrastructure development policies of Nepal,
2.4. Ethnographic approach to collect information ,
2.5. Participatory approach as community empowerment ,
[Link] tools, focus group discussions, key informants interview
2.7. Participatory observation, structured questionnaire,
2.8. Resource mapping, wealth ranking, poverty definition

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 LEP (labor based, environment friendly and participatory),
A labor-based development approach refers to an economic and social development strategy that
places a central focus on labor, emphasizing the role of human capital and workforce in driving growth and
improving living standards. This approach recognizes that the skills, productivity, and well-being of the
workforce are key determinants of overall development.

Here are some key features and principles associated with a labor-based development approach:
• Investment in Education and Training: Prioritizing education and skill development to enhance the
capabilities of the workforce. This includes both formal education and vocational training programs to
equip individuals with the skills needed in the labor market.

• Employment Generation: Placing a strong emphasis on creating opportunities for productive and
meaningful employment. This involves policies and programs aimed at stimulating job creation in various
sectors of the economy.

• Fair Labor Practices: Ensuring fair and equitable labor practices, including decent wages, reasonable
working hours, and safe working conditions. This contributes to the well-being of the workforce and
promotes social justice.

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 LEP (labor based, environment friendly and participatory),

• Inclusive Growth: Focusing on inclusive economic growth that benefits all segments of the population. This
includes strategies to reduce income inequality and provide equal access to economic opportunities.

• Social Protection: Implementing social safety nets and protection measures to support workers during periods
of unemployment, illness, or other vulnerabilities. This helps create a more stable and resilient labor force.

• Gender Equality: Promoting gender equality in the workforce by addressing disparities in opportunities, wages,
and working conditions between men and women.

• Community Development: Recognizing the importance of local communities in the development process. This
involves engaging with communities to identify and address their specific needs and challenges.

• Sustainable Development: Integrating environmental sustainability considerations into the development

process. This includes promoting environmentally friendly practices and ensuring that development initiatives do
not compromise the well-being of future generations.

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 LEP (labor based, environment friendly and participatory),
An environment-friendly development approach, often referred to as sustainable development, prioritizes
the well-being of the environment while seeking to meet the current needs of society without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. This approach recognizes the interdependence of economic, social, and
environmental factors. Here are key features and principles associated with an environment-friendly development
approach:
• Environmental Conservation: The core principle is the conservation and protection of natural resources,
biodiversity, and ecosystems. This involves minimizing environmental degradation and promoting practices that
ensure the long-term health of the planet.

• Renewable Energy: Emphasis on the use of renewable and clean energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower,
and geothermal energy. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, mitigates climate change, and minimizes environmental
pollution.

• Waste Reduction and Recycling: Strategies to reduce waste generation, promote recycling, and encourage the
responsible disposal of waste. This includes efforts to minimize single-use plastics and adopt circular economy
principles.

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 LEP (labor based, environment friendly and participatory),
• Green Infrastructure: Incorporating green spaces, sustainable urban planning, and eco-friendly infrastructure
design. This can enhance biodiversity, improve air and water quality, and create more livable and resilient
communities.
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Addressing climate change through both mitigation (reducing
greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (building resilience to climate impacts). This may involve the development
of climate-smart technologies and policies.
• Conservation Agriculture: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize soil health, water
conservation, and biodiversity. This includes agroecology, organic farming, and other methods that minimize the use
of harmful chemicals.
• Sustainable Forestry: Responsible management of forests to prevent deforestation, promote reforestation, and
ensure the sustainable use of timber and non-timber forest products.
• Water Conservation and Management: Implementing water-efficient technologies and practices to conserve
water resources. This includes watershed management, rainwater harvesting, and the protection of water
ecosystems.
• Eco-friendly Technologies: Encouraging the development and adoption of technologies that have minimal
environmental impact. This may include innovations in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and pollution control.

• Social Equity and Inclusivity: Ensuring that environmental benefits are distributed equitably across society and
that vulnerable communities are not disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.

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 LEP (labor based, environment friendly and participatory),
A participatory development approach is a strategy that involves active involvement and collaboration of
local communities, stakeholders, and individuals in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of development
initiatives. This approach recognizes the importance of including the perspectives, knowledge, and aspirations of the
people who are directly affected by development projects.

Here are key features and principles associated with a participatory development approach:
• Community Involvement: The central feature of participatory development is the active involvement of local
communities in decision-making processes. This involves consulting with community members, understanding their
needs, and incorporating their insights into the development planning process.

• Bottom-Up Planning: Instead of a top-down approach where decisions are made at higher levels of government
or by external organizations, participatory development emphasizes bottom-up planning. Local communities play a
crucial role in identifying priorities, setting goals, and designing strategies for development.

• Capacity Building: Empowering local communities by enhancing their capacity to actively participate in
development processes. This includes providing training and resources that enable community members to contribute
effectively to decision-making and implementation.

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 LEP (labor based, environment friendly and participatory),
• Local Knowledge and Expertise: Valuing and incorporating local knowledge and expertise in the development
process. Local communities often have unique insights into their own needs, resources, and challenges, which can
inform more effective and contextually appropriate development interventions.

• Partnership and Collaboration: Fostering collaboration and partnerships among various stakeholders, including
government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, and local communities. This
multi-stakeholder approach ensures a more comprehensive and holistic development strategy.

• Social Inclusion and Equity: Promoting social inclusion by ensuring the participation of marginalized and
vulnerable groups. This involves addressing issues of gender, ethnicity, age, and other factors that may affect access to
opportunities and resources.
• Ownership and Empowerment: Encouraging a sense of ownership among community members regarding
development projects. When people feel a sense of ownership, they are more likely to actively contribute to and
sustain the benefits of the initiatives.

• Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation: Involving communities in the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of
development projects. This ensures that feedback from the community is considered, and adjustments can be made
as needed to improve project outcomes.

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 Community management, engineers role as facilitator
Community management involves overseeing and facilitating the activities, interactions, and well-being of a community.
When it comes to community management in the context of engineering projects or initiatives, the role of engineers as
facilitators becomes crucial.
Here's how the two aspects are interconnected:
➢ Community Management:
• Definition: Community management refers to the process of organizing, guiding, and supporting a group of
individuals with common interests or goals.
• In the Context of Projects: In engineering projects, the community might include project stakeholders, local
residents, workers, and others impacted by or involved in the project.

➢ Engineers as Facilitators:
• Definition: Engineers, in the role of facilitators, act as mediators, communicators, and coordinators to enable
effective collaboration and decision-making within a group.

• In the Context of Community Management:

• Communication: Engineers facilitate communication between various stakeholders, ensuring that information
is shared transparently and that concerns and ideas are effectively conveyed.

• Collaboration: They encourage collaboration among different groups, fostering a sense of shared responsibility
and ownership in the project.
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 • Problem-Solving: Engineers facilitate problem-solving sessions, helping the community address challenges and find
solutions collaboratively.

• Decision-Making: They play a role in involving the community in decision-making processes related to the project.

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 Key features of infrastructure development policies of Nepal
Nepal Transport Policy-2001
Priority Investment Plan(1997-2007)
A 20 years master plan-2002
Nepal Board Roads Act (2002)
Nepal Development Plan(10-5) years
▪ Improving local existing infrastructures and facilities( 1st five year plan)
▪ Regional Approach to Development (4th Five year plan)
▪ Small area development programme(5th five year plan)
▪ Promotions of peoples partnerships through local leadership(6th five year plan)
▪ Basic needs programme(7th five year plan)
▪ Bottom-up approach in development, sustainable growth(8th five year plan)
▪ Agriculture sector development, One family one employment policy (9th five year plan)
▪ Reconstruction , Social reconciliation and proportionate development (11th plan)
▪ Reduce poverty by 21 % (12th plan)
▪ Uplifting Nepal from least to developing countries. (13th plan)
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 Key features of infrastructure development policies of Nepal
▪ Uplifting Nepal from least to developing countries. (13th plan)
▪ Economic growth , Access to electricity, internet drinking water , agriculture growth, human
development index (14th year plan)
In general
o National Planning and Policy Framework
o Transportation Infrastructure
o Energy Infrastructure
o Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
o Water Resources and Irrigation
o Urban Development
o Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
o Environmental Sustainability
o Inclusive Development
o Cross-Border Connectivity
o Disaster Resilience
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 Ethnographic approach to collect information
Ethnography is a qualitative research method that involves studying people and
cultures in their natural environment. The approach is often employed by social scientists,
anthropologists, and researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of social phenomena. Here
are key components and steps in the ethnographic approach to collect information:

1. Immersion in the Field:

•Participant Observation: Ethnographers immerse themselves in the community or setting
they are studying. This involves spending extended periods of time observing and participating
in the daily lives of the people they are studying.

2. Building Rapport:
•Establishing Trust: Ethnographers work to build trust and rapport with the community or
individuals under study. This involves being respectful, open, and transparent about the
research objectives.

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 Ethnographic approach to collect information
3. Interviews and Conversations:
•Informal Interviews: Ethnographers conduct informal interviews and conversations to gather information.
These can be unstructured, allowing participants to share their perspectives and experiences in their own words.

4. Field Notes:
•Detailed Documentation: Ethnographers keep detailed field notes, documenting their observations,
conversations, and reflections. These notes are crucial for capturing the context and nuances of the culture being
studied.

5. Participation:
•Active Participation: Ethnographers actively participate in the daily activities of the community. This could
involve joining rituals, ceremonies, or everyday tasks to gain a holistic understanding of the culture.

6. Cultural Sensitivity:
•Cultural Sensibility: Ethnographers need to be culturally sensitive and aware of their own biases. This involves
acknowledging and understanding cultural differences without imposing one's own cultural values.

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 Ethnographic approach to collect information
[Link]:
•Multiple Data Sources: Ethnographers use triangulation, incorporating multiple data sources to
validate findings. This could include combining observations, interviews, and existing documents to build a
comprehensive understanding.

[Link] Approach:
•Long-Term Engagement: Ethnography often requires a longitudinal approach, with researchers
spending extended periods in the field. This allows for a deeper understanding of cultural practices and
changes over time.

[Link] Description:
•Detailed Analysis: Ethnographers aim for "thick description," providing detailed and contextually rich
accounts of the culture under study. This helps readers and researchers fully grasp the cultural context.

10. Reflexivity:
•Reflection on Researcher’s Role: Ethnographers engage in reflexivity, reflecting on their own
positionality and how their presence and perspectives may influence the research.

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11. Ethical Considerations:
•Ethical Conduct: Ethnographers adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring the well-being and privacy of the
participants. Informed consent and confidentiality are critical aspects.

12. Data Analysis:

•Inductive Analysis: Ethnographic data analysis is often inductive, meaning patterns and themes emerge
from the data rather than being predetermined. Researchers may use coding and thematic analysis.

13. Final Report:

•Comprehensive Report: Ethnographers present their findings in a comprehensive report, often including
rich narratives, quotes, and cultural insights. This report contributes to the broader understanding of the
studied culture.

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