Barrington-2643.pdf (4.29 MB)
Download fileSome lessons learned from engaging in WASH participatory action research in Melanesian informal settlements
conference contribution
posted on 2018-02-12, 15:11 authored by Dani J. Barrington, K.F. Shields, S.G. Saunders, S. Meo, S. Sridharan, R.T. Souter, Jamie BartramIn Melanesian countries there has been a large flux of people from rural to urban and peri-urban areas, resulting an in increased number living in informal settlements. These settlements often lack connections to mains water and sewerage lines and formal solid waste collection. Our project used a participatory
action research (PAR) approach to work in partnership with informal settlement communities and enabling actors to achieve the self-determined WaSH conditions which participants felt would improve the well-being of those living in informal settlements. Because the PAR approach encourages reflection and adaptation, we learned lessons that were incorporated into the design of ongoing and future
processes, and this paper presents five such lessons which we judge to be of practical use for WaSH enabling actors.
Funding
This research was funded by the Australian Government under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Development Research Awards Scheme, project number: 201200898.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
- Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)