Concepts & Theories

Why Food Security

Mumbai's People

Concepts & Theories

Existing Technologies

Responsible Design

Design Process

End Product

Implementation

Resources

What is it all build on?

The concepts or theories shown below are the backbones of the end product. We kept these three in the back of our heads at all times while designing and reshaping the end product.

TECHNO-ECOLOGICAL THEORY

Techno-Ecological Theory

The techno-ecological theory is the main theory that this project is based upon. This theory states that technological innovation and human ingenuity are the greatest instruments to provide a reliable supply of food and basic necessities for a growing population. This is exactly what we try to achieve in this project. We combine high-tech farming techniques such as hydroponics in an innovative low-tech manner. Hereby we rely on the ingenuity of the people in slums to give them the possibility to produce food for themselves.

Circulair Economy

Circulair Economy

The circular economy is most frequently depicted as a combination of reducing, reuse, and recycling activities that result in economic prosperity as well as reducing the number of raw materials that have to be extracted for production. The slums of Mumbai have been identified as a circular economy goldmine. They have been studied for their reputation as a recycling unit that is recycling a large part of Mumbai’s solid waste. Dharavi, Mumbai’s largest slum, has 15,000 mini-factories and employs around 25,000 who make a living out of recycling Mumbai’s solid wastes. This results in 80% of its solid waste being recycled.

low tech

Low Tech

Low-tech and frugal innovations are becoming more popular all around the world. It first appeared in emerging markets but is now also seen in developed markets. The main defining criteria for these types of innovations are reduced production costs, focus on core functionalities, and an optimum level of performance. Focus on core functionalities means that the functions - which are needed and not desired - are implemented in the product. In other words, there are no extra functions. The optimal level of performance means that the product does not over-perform nor underperform but performs at the level that is required in the situation. In the context of India’s slums - with low levels of capital and expertise - it is paramount to keep the design as cheap and simple as possible.

capability Approach

Capability Approach

In order to make a product that helps people forward, we need to think about its possible implications for our context. We used the capability approach by Martha Nussbaum to define what “helping people forward” means exactly. She named ten basic capabilities that enhance individual human dignity. Of her ten capabilities, we chose to design for (quality of) Life, Bodily health, Affiliation, and Control over ones Environment. Our product should enhance these aspects of people’s life.

Why Food Security

Mumbai's People

Concepts & Theories

Existing Technologies

Responsible Design

Design Process

End Product

Implementation

Resources