ISSUES

THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENABLERS

Development is supported by technology and the provision of physical infrastructure. The socio-economic goals of sustainable development cannot be met without physical infrastructure for transportation, health, education, energy and water provision, telecommunications and waste management. However, the infrastructure provided must also support the environmental principles of sustainable development.

Technological enablers can be divided into 'hardware', 'software' and know-how.

Machinery, industrial processes, materials and equipment are all examples of technological 'hardware' necessary to development. Specifically important for sustainable development in Southern Africa are intermediate technologies, environmentally friendly technologies and technologies that are labour-intensive.
'Software' includes systems, mental models and those tools (ICT based or otherwise) that support decision-making, monitoring and evaluation and assist with knowledge and information management.
Know-how is the knowledge and experience that is available through specialist expertise and indigenous knowledge systems.

For technology enablers to be successful, processes for technology transfer and management is required, as well as access to those technologies. This requires the presence of functioning institutional enablers. Furthermore, specific value system enablers are necessary to bring about the successful uptake of technologies that are conducive to sustainable development.

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