Roads and Resources: Appropriate Technology in Rural Construction in Developing Countries

This book is concerned with appropriate construction technology in the building and maintenance of roads. It is one of a series resulting from the World Employment Programme of the ILO. By drawing upon the detailed studies that have been carried out by the ILO and experience from recently executed labour-based programmes, the book shows that the use of more labour-intensive techniques can be technically and economically efficient. It also shows that the level of planning and organisation required for efficient labour-based programmes is no less demanding than that for equipment-based programmes. The book is in two parts. The first deals with the institutional framework within which the application of appropriate technology is proposed and with the various aspects of the implementation of appropriate technology. Having discussed the institutional framework it continues with a discussion of the major aspects of labour-based road construction, using as a basis the various ILO studies and programme in Iran, Thailand, Nepal, the Philippines, India and Kenya. Finally, in the summary, the editors draw together the main aspects that arise from the preceding chapters and discuss the implications of the use of a more appropriate technology in road construction in developing countries.