Indigenous Knowledge and Development
Monitor, July 1998 Indigenous Knowledge and Development
Monitor, July 1998
Contents IK Monitor 6(2) | IKDM Homepage | Suggestions to: ikdm@nuffic.nl | (c) copyright Nuffic-CIRAN and contributors 1998.
Calls
Calls for information
Calls for research contacts
On ecological lessons from indigenous architecture
Architecture has been somewhat neglected in anthropological circles and even in sustainable development work. George Woolston, who is presently doing PhD research into the ecological lessons to be learned from indigenous architecture, is also involved in an Academy of Finland research programme on ecological construction. For purposes of both these projects, Woolston is looking for any leads or contacts that might help him in his examination of the methodological and theoretical problems involved. His ultimate striving is to help change the way in which architectural design skills are taught in schools of architecture throughout the world.
The main research questions are:
- What kinds of design patterns are/were used?
- What is/was the value system underlying those patterns?
The hypothesis is that the sets of pattern rules are not concerned solely with dimensions, shapes and forms, as typically described in structuralist anthropological analyses, but also include an ecological value system governing the proper use of substances and energy ources for construction.
Indigenous architect-builders operate in harmony with the landscape, the local climate, and the buildings of their neighbours. They generally make use of natural, locally available substances which are non-toxic to humans, and building parts are usually recoverable.
Indigenous architecture employs sophisticated design procedures which have long since demonstrated their efficacy. But just what are these patterns, and how ecological is this mode of building? What can be learned which might be used in future ecological architecture? The principal case study used in this research pertains to the log buildings of Ostrobothnia, constructed between 1750 and 1914, which have been extensively documented by George Woolston, together with teams of Earthwatch fieldworkers and local student volunteers.
Information about comparable studies from other parts of the world would be welcome, not least with a view to future cooperation. The information requested deals with the documentation of indigenous architectural design, the analysis of design rule sets, and concrete evidence of an ecological values system. News of the successful re-application of such knowledge would be especially welcome.
Please contact: George Woolston, research architect, doctoral candidate, Oulu University, Finland.
Home address: Torpantie 234, SF-69700 Veteli, Finland.
Fax: +358-6-8608 200.
E-mail: george.woolston@veteli.kpnet.fi
Community forestry paradigms
A number of expert studies have recognized that E. Kham / W. Sichuan / Xikang 1 is of crucial importance for forest management and reforestation. These studies also concluded that prior to implementing any major forestry programme, the role and importance of trees and forests for the indigenous Tibetan peoples must be examined. To that end, I have recently started PhD research on Sustainable knowledge systems and resource management: in search of community forest paradigms for the Khamba peoples of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau.
The primary function of this study is to explore the interface between knowledge systems and resource management, with a view to identifying a community forestry paradigm that will allow the Khamba Tibetan peoples to perpetuate, protect, utilize, and manage their forest resources on a sustainable basis, without compromising their environment or sociocultural systems.
A number of methods will be used in the field; these will address knowledge systems, indigenous knowledge capture (including traditional resource management and conservation), forest values, ethnobotanical study, cognitive processes and perceptual mapping, stakeholder analysis, and GIS mapping studies.
When completed, the study is intended to contribute to the indigenous knowledge and sustainable development network by providing: (i) a comparison between knowledge systems; (ii) an understanding of the impact of ‘modern’ knowledge systems related to indigenous societies; (iii) a holistic alternative for development among indigenous people; (iv) an understanding of the role of trees and forests in Khamba society; and (v) a paradigm for all those engaged in the perpetuation, protection, utilization and sustainable management of natural resources.
Having lived in Chengdu for three years, I have built up a network of contacts with the academic and research sectors; business; the provincial, prefectural and county governments; the Communist Party and NGOs. I would welcome the opportunity to get in touch with researchers who have expertise or an interest in this subject or who can refer me to apposite papers.
Please contact: John Studley, Rural Development Forestry Specialist, MA OND DipCCS PGCertS&CF FRGS 46 Sarsfeld Road, London SW12 8HN, UK.
Tel.: +44-181-672 0456.
E-mail: John_Studley@compuserve.com (Note: I can be contacted in China on this e-mail.)
Personal web site containing details on the PhD study: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/John_Studley
1 These names all refer to the same place; they are employed by the Tibetans, the Peoples Republic of China, and the Republic of China respectively.
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