The purpose of this page is to store links to potentially useful sites for aiding in the design or research of projects.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Added 5/25/2007

The Open Architecture Network
Source: Open Architecture Network

The Open Architecture Network is an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. Here designers of all persuasions can:
• Share their ideas, designs and plans
• View and review designs posted by others
• Collaborate with each other, people in other professions and community leaders to address specific design challenges
• Manage design projects from concept to implementation
• Communicate easily amongst team members
• Protect their intellectual property rights using the Creative Commons "some rights reserved" licensing system and be shielded from unwarranted liability
• Build a more sustainable future
______________________________________________________________________________________

Added 5/22/2007

USAID Report on Drinking Water Treatment
Source: USAID


Best practices in social marketing safe water solution for household water treatment: Lessons learned from population services internatoin field programs.
Since 1998 Population Services International (PSI), with the funding and support of the U.S. Agency for International Development and other donors, has been involved in the implementation of safe water programs in 20 developing countries, promoting the Safe Water System (SWS), a household water treatment and safe storage strategy originally designed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to cholera outbreaks in Latin America. SWS includes three elements: (1) water treatment at point-of-use with a dilute sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) "safe water" solution; (2) storage of water in a safe container, and (3) education to improve hygiene and water use practices. This paper synthesizes lessons learned, best practices, successes and challenges of social marketing safe water solution, and discusses how these lessons may be applied to planning safe water treatment programs around the globe. Key words: household water treatment, household water quality, diarrhea prevention, safe drinking water, point-of-use water treatment Full report found HERE.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Added 5/21/2007

Design for the other 90%
Source: Cooper Hewitt


Designers, engineers, students and professors, architects, and social entrepreneurs from all over the globe are devising cost-effective ways to increase access to food and water, energy, education, healthcare, revenue-generating activities, and affordable transportation for those who most need them. And an increasing number of initiatives are providing solutions for underserved populations in developed countries such as the United States.

Encompassing a broad set of modern social and economic concerns, these design innovations often support responsible, sustainable economic policy. They help, rather than exploit, poorer economies; minimize environmental impact; increase social inclusion; improve healthcare at all levels; and advance the quality and accessibility of education. These designers’ voices are passionate, and their points of view range widely on how best to address these important issues. Each object on display tells a story, and provides a window through which we can observe this expanding field. Design for the Other 90% demonstrates how design can be a dynamic force in saving and transforming lives, at home and around the world.

On view at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum through September 23, 2007. Click HERE for main page.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Added 5/15/2007

Kenyan Water and Solar Distributor
Source:
David Gatende
Managing Director
Davis & Shirtliff Ltd

Anyway, let me assure you that we have solar and wind solutions in Kenya and in fact, we have just completed doing 25 installations in a joint project between UNICEF, Grundfos (the Danish equipment manufacturer and donor of the kit) and D& S we did all the installations in places as far as Turkana, West Pokot, Kwale and Kajiado. The equipment is very reliable and maintenance free nad more information can be found on our website, http://www.dayliff.com/
______________________________________________________________________________________

Added 5/11/2007

Sustainable Building Technical Manual
Source: Public Technology Inc.

The U.S. Green Building Council, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency partnered with Public Technology Inc. to develop this thorough and well-informed guide that lives up to its promise of covering all aspects of a sustainable building project. With a special emphasis on local governments, the guide walks planners through the major phases of a green construction project: incorporating sustainable building criteria in the pre-design phase, selecting a design team, developing landscaping that preserves natural vegetation and maintains watershed, and more. An appendix also helps local governments explore financing options.


Download Report

______________________________________________________________________________________