Poverty Alleviation and Environmental Conservation Through
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Poverty Alleviation and Environmental Conservation through adoption of Appropriate Housing Improvement Technologies (AHITs): a case study of the Appropriate Housing Improvement Technologies developed by Building and Construction Improvement Program in the Northern Areas of Pakistan by Adnan Salim Khan A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Environmental Studies in Environment and Resource Studies Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2010 © Adnan Salim Khan 2010 Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract This paper is an attempt to determine the impacts of Appropriate Housing Improvement Products (AHITs) on poverty alleviation and environmental conservation with special reference to the housing improvement technologies/techniques developed and introduced by the Building and Construction Improvement Program (BACIP) of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBSP) in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. A general methodology was employed in this research based on exploratory and evaluative investigation using both primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected through a series of open ended interview questionnaires. The use of open ended questionnaires enabled the researcher to collect both quantitative as well as qualitative data from the interview questionnaires. Some additional qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions. The secondary data was collected from various published and unpublished reports and also from the internet. The paper begins with an introduction about the context and the program. The literature review identifies some basic concepts and approaches to poverty, and appropriate technologies, followed by the methodology that was adopted for the study. Chapter four presents the environmental setting of the study area that provides a context for analysis and chapter five present an assessment of the AHITS, with an emphasis on its role in alleviating poverty and environmental conservation in the study area, mostly through the lens of quantitative and qualitative research. Finally, the findings of the study are presented. iii In conclusion, recommendations are made to upgrade the effectiveness and efficiency of AHITs and to expand the impacts of the program outside its source of origin, covering a larger geographic area. In this way not only the people of the Northern Areas of Pakistan will be able to alleviate poverty in the region but people living in other regions having similar socio-economic and environmental conditions will also be able to reduce their unwanted expenses caused by poor housing conditions. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude to Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) for their financial support, which helped me to complete my studies at the University of Waterloo, Canada. I would also like to thank Ms. Ezmina Nazarali for her wonderful support from the desk of AKFC. I would like to acknowledge all the individuals and groups who have helped to make this research possible. I am thankful to Mr. Asif Abdul-Aziz Merchant, Ex-Chief Executive Officer, of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Service Pakistan, and Syed Fahkhar Ahmed, Ex – Program Manager, BACIP for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity and the support and encouragement they extended for my studies in Canada. Without their support and encouragement it would have not been possible to achieve this extraordinary and privileged experience at this great institution of learning. I would like to extend my special thanks to the Numbardars (village heads), and BACIP’s resource persons, the village elders and other village activists, who spared their precious time for focus group discussions and for interviews and making my field visit successful. I am also thankful to all my colleagues especially Mr. Quyam Ali Shah, Mr. Karimullah Beg, Mr. Ghulam Saeed, MS. Nahida Khudadad and Mr. Alimuddin. Special thanks to Mr. Kaka Jan and Mr. Aslam Shah who helped in the collection of primary data from the field. Many, many thanks and gratitude is also extending to Prof. Dr. Susan K Wismer, for being my advisor and to Prof. Dr. Mary Louise McAllister being as a committee member and also as a co-advisor. Without their guidance and support, it was not possible for me successfully finished my research. They helped me in every stage of my research, from research proposal development, to plan my field visit, analyze my data and the final write-up. They were always available for answering even my most silly questions related to my research. They always appreciated my efforts and encouraged me throughout my study at University of Waterloo. Further, their constant guidance enabled me to learn the skills and knowledge to excel in my expertise. I am also thankful to all faculty members of ERS, particularly Maureen Grant and Prof. Bob Gibson, who helped me a lot during the course of my study in ERS. In the end I am thankful to my wonderful wife, Kalsoom Gul, who encouraged and supported me morally and financially in her role as a workingwoman and a housewife in Canada, and cooked variety of desi dishes for the whole family. She made our stay in Canada very special and memorable. I would also like to say “thank you” to my three kids, Laleen Khan, Aahmer Khan and Ahmed Khan for their love. v TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Author’s Declaration ……………………………………………………………….. ii Abstract …………………………………………………………………………….. iii Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………… v Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………… vi Glossary of Acronyms …………………………………………………………… xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Introduction ……………………………………………...................................... 1 1.1 Nature of the Study……………………………………………………………... 5 1.2 Rational for the Research ………………………………………………………. 5 1.3 Significance of the Study……………………………………………………...... 8 1.4 Goal of the Study………………………………………...................................... 9 1.5 Research Questions ……………………………………...................................... 10 1.6 Structure of the Study …………………………………….................................. 10 CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY 2.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………..……........ 12 2.1 Research Approach – case study research……………………………..……….. 12 2.1.1 Rationale for case study research …………………………………….. 12 2.1.2 Types of case study research …………………………………………. 13 2.2 Context and Situation……………………………………………………........... 14 2.3 Criteria for Evaluation …………………………………………………...…...... 14 2.4 Methods for Collection of Data …………………………..……………………. 16 vi TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 2.4.1 Collection of Secondary Data…………………………………............ 16 2.4.2 Collection of Primary Data……………………………………............ 16 2.4.3 Focus Group Discussion………………………………………………. 18 2.5 Data Analysis ………………………………………………………………….. 20 2.6 Limitations and Constraints ………………………... …………………………. 21 CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW 3.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………..…. 24 3.1. Concepts and Definitions ………………...…………………………………... 24 3.1.1 Concepts of Poverty ……………… …………………………….......... 24 3.1.2 Absolute and Relative Poverty.. ………………………………………. 29 3.1.3 Poverty and Inequality ………….. ……………………………............ 31 3.1.4 Poverty and Underdevelopment.. ……………………………............... 32 3.1.5 Poverty and Exclusion ………...... ……………………………............ 33 3.1.6 Poverty and Health ……….. ………………………………………….. 34 3.1.7 Poverty and Environmental Degradation (climate change)…................. 35 3.1.8 Poverty and Housing ………..... ……………………………................. 38 3.2 Approaches to Address Poverty ………………………………………………... 41 3.2.1 Sustainable Livelihoods …………. …………………………............... 41 3.2.2 Healthy Community …………………………………………............... 45 3.2.3 Appropriate Technology …………... …………………………............ 48 3.2.4 Capacity Building ………………….…………………………............. 50 3.2.5 Concept of Human Development Index………………………............. 53 vii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 3.3 Summary of Literature Review…….……………………………............ 55 CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING OF THE STUDY AREA 4.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………….……… 57 4.1 Brief History of the Northern Areas of Pakistan ……………………………….. 57 4.2 Geography and Topography ……………….……………………….................... 58 4.2.1 Climate ………………………………..……………………………….. 60 4.2.2 Flora and Fauna ………………….. ……………..…………………… 61 4.3 Demography of the Northern Areas ......………..……………………………… 63 4.4 Poverty in the Northern Areas ……..…………………………………………... 64 4.5 Housing Construction and Design in the Northern Areas ……………………… 67 4.6 Development of the Appropriate Housing Improvement Technologies (AHITs)………………………….......................................................................... 75 CHAPTER 5: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH FINDINGS 5.0 Introduction ………………………………………………...…………………... 78 5.1 Socio-economic Profile of the Respondents …………………….……………... 78 5.2 Sources of Livelihood ………………………………………………….………. 80 5.3 Housing Infrastructure and Basic Facilities ………………………………….… 84 5.4 Sources of Energy in the Study Area …………………………………………... 87 5.5 Impacts of Appropriate Housing Improvement Technologies (AHITs) ……….. 93 5.5.1 Economic Benefits……………………………………………………... 93 5.5.1.1 Impacts of AHITs of Fuel Wood Consumption …………….…. 94 5.5.1.2 Saving in Medical Expenses …………………. …………….… 96 viii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 5.5.2 Social Impacts of AHITs ………………………………………….……