Lab2Kochar

//Under each of the six categories, shelter, health, water, education, energy and transport, choose one project which interests you. For each category, describe how it is designed to alleviate poverty for the project's stakeholders.// The day labor station “accommodates waiting day laborers, organizational meetings, classes, and sanitation facilities, without requiring staff”. This allows individuals to not only look for work, but be in contact with those in similar situations. The station also is a facility where these individuals can be educated and meet those who may be able to help them in the long term. The ceramic water filter “combines the filtration capability of ceramic material with the anti-bacteriological qualities of colloidal silver”. Because many individuals lose school or work days because of illnesses, this causes the loss of education and productivity in the workforce. By implementing this filtration system, those loses can be replaced and kids would not have to lose out on their education. At the same time, the productivity will not be lost by the workforce. Medical costs would also be reduced due to the lack of illnesses by those who use this filter. The lifestraw product is the one that has interested me the most. The ability to change any surface water into drinking water is fascinating. “Filters up to 700 litres of water”, “Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria”, “Removes more than 98% of waterborne viruses” ([]). Over 6000 people die every day because of unsafe drinking water, most of which are children. A product like this is so simple yet so effective that it could save thousands of lives. The solar home lighting system allows people who don’t have access to electricity to obtain it by using the solar panels on top of their homes. This then “enables families to improve their productivity by allowing them to pursue income-generating activities in the evening while their children can have better light for studying”. Any form of aid towards education should be deemed a necessity as knowledge will in the future assist these people to leave the conditions they are in or improve them for those still there. Alternatives for fuel are always being explored and sugarcane charcoals are perfect for the people of Haiti. The use of wood charcoal has led 90% of Haiti to become deforested and many children “die of respiratory infections from breathing indoor cooking fumes”. Not only is it a safer way, but it is also a cheaper way to cook, and for the people in Haiti, any funds saved can assist families in other areas. The Q Drum may have been the most simple design concept. Transporting water from kilometres away for some families can be painful and time consuming, especially when only small jugs could be transported at times. The Q Drunk however allows individuals to carry a vast amount of water (75 litres) at one time. Not only are families able to receive large amounts of water, but transporting the water becomes a lot easier as well. The time saved (rather than making 3-4 trips in order to obtain 75 litres, now only on trip would suffice) can be used for more productive activities such as education.
 * __Shelter__**
 * __http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/day-labor-station__**
 * __Health__**
 * __http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/ceramic-water-filter__**
 * __Water__**
 * __http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/lifestraw__**
 * __Education__**
 * __http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/solar-home-lighting-system__**
 * __Energy__**
 * __http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/sugarcane-charcoal__**
 * __Transport__**
 * __http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/q-drum__**

//How does stakeholder analysis enable sustainable and socially responsible design?// When attempting to solve a social issue such as Design for the Other 90 attempts to do, it is important to know who will be most affected. Usually stakeholders are thought to be rich people who may be investing in stocks and other financial assets, however, a stakeholder is in fact anyone who may be affected by the implementation. Therefore, it is important to also consider who is being helped, and who will be using the product. In the third world countries, it is important to understand what the capabilities of the people are and what they are willing to do. The design of the product that will be aiding these people must conform to what they are able to do. If the product is to complicated or does not suit the individuals who will be using it, then it is of no use to them. On the other hand, if the designers understand exactly who they are working with and who they are helping, they can centralize the product around those stakeholders and in fact enhance it to suit the stakeholders’ needs.

//List five characteristics of socially responsible product design.//
 * Environmental
 * Cost - Effective
 * Safe
 * Versatile
 * Easy to use