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MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 

Identifying Factors Affecting the Success of Rural Water Supply Programmes

Factors affecting the success of rural water supply programmes are investigated in this work.  Data is gathered from three evidence sources: a case study of four South American nations, interviews with experienced personnel and the literature.  These are combined in an iterative hypothesis building procedure which integrates evidence from all sources.  Eight factors are identified along with supporting evidence for each – these are divided into factors relating to national water sector structure and those relating to water supply programmes.  The inter-factor dependencies lead to a discussion of the implementation potential for each factor.  Implementation of the factors in future water supply programmes is expected to lead to more successful outcomes.  The procedure in this work could be extended to analyze related disciplines such as urban water supply or sanitation.

Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.