From the Sustainable Perspective:Participatory Design in Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper evaluates a typical participatory design project for water management in Africa from the sustainability science perspective through an object-process-subject based analytical model. The conclusions show that the project exemplifies the object hierarchy, process iterations, and complex interactions among subjects of sustainable development. Object hierarchy implies the principle of intra-generational equity in a global context and reconciling sustainable development's environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Process iteration comes from the six iterative cycles of the participatory design process, stimulating real needs and broad participation. The total consideration of the local nature and complexity of the subject is conducive to the coordination of different stakeholders. The model's analytical results and shortcomings provide effective lessons for sustainable participatory design in developing countries.