History
Development Workshop (DW) was founded in 1973 by three architectural students who realized after fieldwork in an Egyptian village that their studies had not prepared them enough to deal with the shelter problems of the poor.
Inspired by the late Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy’ (author of Architecture for the Poor), DW started work in North Africa and the Middle East focussing initially on improving indigenous architecture to provide appropriate and affordable shelter. Going beyond Fathy’s influence, DW evolved a more holistic approach to human settlement systems. Developing local resources and capacities to improve living conditions became a central theme in the work that by the late 1970s included settlement planning, water supply and sanitation, small enterprise development and disaster mitigation.
In the 1990s microfinance and governance were added as practice areas. The three original founders of DW remain involved with the organisation.
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Approach
Development Workshop (DW) works closely with communities to develop programmes that address problems and needs identified by the stakeholders while at the same time building up local capacities. The core principles that underlie DW's approach are:
The skills and strategies that the poor and disadvantaged themselves use is the starting point. DW appreciates the necessity of building on what already exists and taking advantage of local dynamism, even if, at times, it is hard to find.
Solutions chosen take into account indigenous knowledge and expertise, communities' priorities, local culture and environmental impacts. Practical solutions that communities can go on using with the skills and resources available to them are sought and promoted.
Getting the vulnerable and marginalized groups to participate in development efforts is often difficult. Programmes emphasise the creation of channels and supports so that these groups have a voice in challenging the conditions that restrict them.
DW often acts as a facilitator building alliances and partnerships with and among community-based groups, NGOs, local government and the private sector.
All programmes including those that address emergencies are designed in the context of longer-term development to increase likelihood of sustainability after external assistance ceases. Programmes typically start with focussed pilot initiatives developed with local groups and then progressively scaling up to more comprehensive programmes commensurate with the technical and organisational capacities of stakeholders involved.
Programme Excellence
Development Workshop (DW) has received international recognition for its contributions to the cause of shelter for the poor and improvements in human settlements conditions:
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