Bookbox

New magazine for planning and construction in developing countries

TRIALOG
Zeitschrift fur das Planen und Bauen in Entwicklungslandern.

Introducing TRIALOG as:
· a journal for architects, city planners, sociologists, economists and development planners
· a journal for the exchange of professional experience in the field of town and city planning in the Third World

TRIALOG offers:
· reports based on practical work
· research results and interim reports
· theoretical contributions for discussion in later issues
· reports on meetings and conferences
· announcements of projects initiated by institutes of further education and universities
· reviews of books, magazines and films
· job-situation information

TRIALOG deals with the following range of subjects:
· urban growth and housing policies
· architecture and national or regional cultures
· fields of activity in the Third World and the role of foreign planners
· technological transfer and appropriate technologies
· rural development strategies

TRIALOG is published quarterly. Subscription price: DM 24.00 for students, DM 32.00 for individual readers, DM 48.00 for institutions.

For further information, or to order, contact: TRIALOG, c/o Planen und Bauen in Entwicklungslandern, Petersenstr. 15, D-6100 Darmstadt, Federal Republic of Germany. TRIALOG is published in German only.

Lost-wax casting

The successful endurance of any technology over thousands of years is an impressive feat; for such a technology to find application in our modern industrial world is a phenomenon. The ancient technique of casting metal by the lost-wax process has achieved this distinction.

For centuries craftsmen in many parts of the world - as far apart as Ghana and Nepal - have used the lost-wax process to reproduce metal castings of finely detailed objects, usually for use in religious ceremonies. The finish that can be achieved with lost-wax casting is exactly what is required to produce high-precision castings for the aircraft and general engineering industry. Bush-bearings, pillow blocks, machinable stock, hardware and plumbing fittings, pulley wheels, pump parts, household items and machine parts are just a few of the items that can be made by this basically simple and traditional method.

This manual outlines the basic-techniques of lost-wax casting and describes the equipment required tocarry out the process successfully. The text explains how the equipment can be made quite easily and wit little expense, using the local labour and natural resources which are both readily available in developing countries.

Wilburt Feinberg: "Lost-wax casting A practioner's manual". ISBN C 903031-88-4, 1983, 74 pp., English

4.95 (plus mailing). Available from Intermediate Technology Publications, 9 King Street, London WC2, 8HN, U.K.

Simple pumps

Over the years VITA has mad, available designs for a wide varies of manually operated pumps, developed or modified primarily by VITA Volunteers for projects in the field The designs respond to local conditions - a pump with wooden parts for Vietnam where little metal was avail able; another based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe; still other adapted from tried and true designs but with added efficiency or ease c construction.

VITA has compiled some ha dozen of these designs into this manual. The collection shows a range c options for simple pumps that are relatively cheap and easy to build and maintain with local skills and materials. They present viable alternative to more expensive pumps requiring costly fossil fuels for operation. Several would also serve well as the basis for small manufacturing enterprises.

Because they must be primed or otherwise cannot be sealed, most of the pumps and water-lifting devices presented are primarily useful for irrigation purposes. The Spangler pumps, and the pitcher pump in certain applications, however, can be used effectively in sanitary wells for potable water supply systems.

Margaret Crouch (ed.): "Six simple pumps. A construction guide". ISBN 0-86619-166-6, 1983, 94 pp., English. Published by: Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), 1815 North Lynn Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209, USA.

Agricultural mechanization with the help of animal traction

This book, published in Portuguese, gives a survey of agricultural mechanization with the help of animal traction. It concentrates on the presentation of suitable implements for tilling the soil (ploughs, harrows etc.).

In addition the authors deal not only with the techniques of tilling the soil by this method but also with the correct harnessing and treatment of the animals.

An animal-drawn sowing machine and a hand sowing device are presented in a separate chapter.

Edmundo Hadlich et al.: "Mecanizacao animal" (Agricultural mechanization with the help of animal traction), 1983, 142 pp., Portuguese. Published by: Empress Brasileira de Assistencia Tecnica e Extensao Rural (EMBRATER), SEP/NORTE- W3 - Q 515. Lote 03. Brasilia D. F.. Brazil.

Organic farming

This book contrasts the methods and procedures of modern chemical fertilization and pest control in agriculture with those employed in organic farming.

The author emphasizes the necessity of changing over to organic farming methods. His considerations include not only economic problems such as the amount of energy required to produce chemical fertilizers but also ecological worries and arguments from the science of nutrition.

In presenting the various methods of organic farming such as composting, multicropping, crop rotation etc., Abadilla draws on experiences from China, to which a separate chapter is devoted.

Domingo C. Abadilla: "Organic farming", 1982, 213 pp., English, appr. US $ 3.- (plus mailing). Published by: AFA Publications Inc., 49 Mangyan Pd., La Vista Subd., Quezon City, Philippines. V

Preservation of Philippine Foods

Food preservation is part of the answer to the ever-growing problem of hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines. Salting, drying, smoking, curing, fermentating canning, refrigerating, and freezing food when in abundance will save precious food from spoilage, allowing us to meet nutritional requirements of people as well as possibly help feed others in countries with nutrition problems.

The object of this manual is to encourage homemakers and students to preserve foods at home. The array of appetizing preserves might entice some to try the recipes presented in this guidebook. The methods suggested are all within the income and capacity of the average Filipino family. The materials and equipment called for are commonly found in the home or can be obtained without difficulty if not yet present in the average kitchen. Each product can be made easily by following the step-by-step procedure; each recipe is garnished with useful tips for cooking, storing, and serving.

Sonia Y. de Leon and Matilde P. Guzman: "Preservation of Philippine food. A manual of principles and procedures." (2nd ea.) 1982, 206 pp., English, appr. US $ 5.- (plus mailing). Published by: Alemar-Phoenix Publishing House Inc., 927 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. Philippines.

Biotech '84 Europe

Biotech '83 drew more than 1000 practitioners and engineers to equipment suppliers and investors. Now Biotech '84 Europe is set to build on the success of the '83 event.

Biotech '84 Europe will provide essential, up-to-the-minute briefings on the state of the science, the technology, the finance and the markets. The event promises a full update on all the latest developments and will examine newly-emerging areas of biotechnology.

The International Conference and Exhibition will take place from 15 to 17 May 1984 at the Wembley Conference, London.

German Appropriate Technology Exchange
Centro Aleman pare Tecnologias Apropiadas
Centre allemand d'inter-technologie appropriee
Deutsches Zentrum fur Entwicklungstechnologien

GATE is not only the name of this quarterly. It also stands for German Appropriate Technology Exchange, founded in 1978 as a special division (Division 21) of the government-owned Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH (German Agency for Technical Cooperation).

Tasks

GATE is a centre for the dissemination and promotion of appropriate technologies for developing countries.

GATE defines "appropriate technologies" as those which appear particularly apposite in the light of economic, social and cultural criteria. They should contribute to socio-economic development whilst ensuring optimal utilization of resources and minimal detriment to the environment. Depending on the case at hand a traditional, intermediate or highly-developed technology can be the "appropriate" one.

Activities

GATE focusses its work on three key areas:
- Technology exchange (Section 211): Collecting, processing and disseminating information on technologies appropriate to the needs of the developing countries; as certaining the technological requirements of Third World countries; support in the form of personnel, material and equipment to promote the development and adaptation of technologies for developing countries.
- Research and development (Section 212): Conducting and/or promoting research and development work in appropriate technologies.
- Cooperation in technological development (Section 213): Cooperation in the form of joint projects with relevant institutions in developing countries and in the Federal Republic of Germany.

For several years GATE has been an active supporter of the SATIS network (Socially Appropriate Technology International Information Service) and has entered into cooperation agreements with a number of technology centres in Third World countries. In addition, GATE participates regularly in exhibitions and trade fairs both in the Federal Republic of Germany and abroad.

Service

GATE offers a free information service on appropriate technologies for all public and private development institutions in developing countries, dealing with the development, adaptation, application and introduction of technologies.

N.B.: The more precise your query, the better the answer GATE can give you. At the same time you help us cut down costs. Thank you!

Deutsches Zentrum fur Entwicklungstechnologien
Dag-Hammarskjold-Weg 1
D-6236 Eschborn 1
Federal Republic of Germany