Outline of lecture

In main stream theory of development, development measured by "economic growth" was the main theme. The meaning of 窶彭evelopment窶� in the context of international development had evolved during the past 30 years. From the lessons of 1980s, particularly represented by failures and mistakes in development field in Africa and Asia, "sustainable development" has become underlying concept to plan, implement and evaluate the development practices. In 1990, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) produced Human Development Indicators and gained world attention. This is to measure "development" from various aspects centering "human". In this context, recent development projects require more integration of different fields, such as education, health, industry, economy, engineering, law and others. Given this background, it is increasingly important that young engineers must understand and be able to design sustainable development projects/programs to overcome precedent problems in development. These approaches often require the participants to create effective working relationships with practitioners in other field, governments, and organizations.

This course aims at introducing various approaches to sustainable development. The first half of the course looks at major theories of international development and how they are applied in practical situations. The latter part will take a close look at on-going development projects in selected countries with implication of role of engineering (and engineers). The students are expected to participate in discussion and analyze the project from engineering point of view within the context of "sustainable Development."

Purpose of lecture

In main stream theory of development, development measured by "economic growth" was the main theme. The meaning of 窶彭evelopment窶� in the context of international development had evolved during the past 30 years. From the lessons of 1980s, particularly represented by failures and mistakes in development field in Africa and Asia, "sustainable development" has become underlying concept to plan, implement and evaluate the development practices. In 1990, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) produced Human Development Indicators and gained world attention. This is to measure "development" from various aspects centering "human". In this context, recent development projects require more integration of different fields, such as education, health, industry, economy, engineering, law and others. Given this background, it is increasingly important that young engineers must understand and be able to design sustainable development projects/programs to overcome precedent problems in development. These approaches often require the participants to create effective working relationships with practitioners in other field, governments, and organizations.

This course aims at introducing various approaches to sustainable development. The first half of the course looks at major theories of international development and how they are applied in practical situations. The latter part will take a close look at on-going development projects in selected countries with implication of role of engineering (and engineers). The students are expected to participate in discussion and analyze the project from engineering point of view within the context of "sustainable Development."

Plan of lecture

1. Introduction to the course, In-class reading: FEATURE STORY, Exercise 1: Sustainable Development
2. Lecture/Discussion: Development vs. Sustainable Development, Review on Development, Reading & Exercise 2: Global Challenge Global Opportunity: Trends in Sustainable Development (UN document)
3. Lecture/Discussion: Development models, Reading & Exercise 2 (Continued), Group Exercise : Student's choice of category
4. Lecture/Discussion: Development models, Group Exercise : Student's choice of category
5. Lecture/Discussion: Feasibility Study as a Tool of Sustainable development, Reading & Exercise 3: Sustainable Development and the Needs for Strategic Development
6. Introduction to development project (1): Development Projects in Lao PDR "Application of ICT to promote sustainable development of heritage site of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR."
7. Guest Speaker: World Heritage and Development
8. Lecture/Discussion: Stakeholders Analysis, Reading & Exercise 4: Analysis
9. Discussion: Stakeholders Analysis (continued), Introduction to development project (2): Development Projects in Mongolia
10. In-class Group Exercises
11. In-class Group Exercises
12. Group Presentation: Lao PDR Team
13. Group Presentation: Mongolian Team
14. Summary of the class, Feedback

Textbook and reference

Reading materials are selected from a variety of development study readers as well as different UN and Development Bank document and publications. Project document will be provided for the preparation of exercises and field study.

1. OECD-UNDP (2002), Sustainable Development Strategies: S Resource Book, Earthscan Publications, Ltd.
http://www.poptel.org.uk/nssd/res_book.html#contents
Book version is available at http://www.amazon.co.jp (ISBN: 1853839477)
2. Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (UN document)
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21toc.htm
3. Global Challenge Global Opportunity: Trends in Sustainable Development (UN document)
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/publications/critical_trends_report_2002.pdf
4. Agenda 21 (UN document)
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21toc.htm
5. Capacity 21: Building Capacity for Sustainable Future (UNDP document)
http://www.undp.org/capacity21/docs/annual-reports/ar2000-en.pdf

**Basic Readings
1. 窶廩uman development – past, present and future窶� UNDP Human Development Report 2001, UNDP, Oxford University Press, 2001
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2001/en/pdf/chapterone.pdf

Related and/or prerequisite courses

International Development Projects: Case Method

Evaluation

Participation:
Students are expected read the assigned materials and answer the questions provided prior to the class. Class discussion will be based on the knowledge of the reading materials as well as your interest and experiences in development field.

Exercise Assignment:
Students are expected to do exercises assigned in class. Exercise assignments include individual exercise, group exercise, and presenting findings. For each component, main questions will be listed. Students are expected to read thoroughly assigned reading materials and analyze the issues according to the questions and prepare to present own ideas.

Group presentation:
In this class, on-going development projects will be introduced. You are expected to choose one project to contribute in the development of feasibility/sustainable study. Questions related to the project in various aspects are provided in advance and students are expected to answer questions with own ideas and to share experiences, if any.