An Engineering Mindset sidelines people’s control over development

[Rituu B. Nanda]

ActforGoa convened 40–50 individuals from diverse fields, including government officials, NGO staff, academia, packaging industry, private sector, hydrologists, designers, architects, researchers, ecologists, and wildlife specialists, on 23rd November in Porvorim, Goa. The event focused on strategies to co-design resilience and enhance the quality of life for Goa's future. Famed for its beaches and culture, Goa faces increasing threats from climate change like rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and environmental degradation. Yet, amid these challenges, a collective grounded in hope is beginning to emerge.

The group aligned on  the importance of communities, citizens, students, and youth need to come forward to take action. The group felt keep track of our progress through data and use of technology.

Engineering mindset- this term came from Maya, one of the participants. This  mindset focuses on problem-solving through technical solutions, often relying on expert-driven, top-down processes. “Experts do not value ecosystem services or traditional knowledge”. Programs are standardized, often overlooking  communities as key players undermining local action and sustainable resilience. One of the examples shared- The surge in high-rise constructions in Goa, primarily catering to outsiders, disregards the region's traditional architecture and relies heavily on cheaper, non-local labor. Traditional Goan houses are designed to stay naturally cool, often requiring no more than a fan, while modern buildings demand energy-intensive air conditioning. Heavy construction not only erodes local culture but also exacerbates environmental damage.

Local people must have the most say in their future

Complex problems require collaboration among individuals from diverse backgrounds and cannot be addressed by a single stakeholder. However, those wielding greater influence—whether through wealth, knowledge, or vocal dominance, both within and outside the community—often control the narrative. A researcher stated that a recent visit to Antarctica made it clear that we are not simply in the midst of global warming, but the world is boiling. This indicates that few people have not been able to tackle climate change challenges, leadership by citizens particularly most marginalized has to be at the forefront.

Thus, the event reiterated that development should start from with lived experience and specialists step in to support what communities cannot achieve on their own. This principle underpins the SALT approach - People, in their neighbourhoods, know best. For successful solutions, strong local ownership is critical. In Bangladesh, the NGO BRED is facilitating SALT and CLCP, families are creating indigenous water filters to improve health outcomes. https://aidscompetence.ning.com/profiles/blogs/how-rina-and-her-family-solved-their-drinking-water-problem-with In such cases, a technical expert can play a role by assessing and enhancing the effectiveness of these filters. 

To conclude, an overemphasis on economic growth and mechanical way of working has shifted the focus away from collaboration and the vital relationships human beings have with ourselves, each other, and nature.  A participant who moved from Delhi to Goa said, “I gave up life in one of India's most economically advanced cities.I reject this economic model in favour of a peaceful lifestyle in Goa.”

The group in Goa is set to inspire the world to dream, act, and hope—together. Facilitation team- Joanna, Marishia and Susan created a space that could bring together the contributions, knowledge, and hearts of so many people where they could discuss what they value and want to protect about Goa.

PS: I acknowledge Maya for the phrase ‘engineering mindset ‘. Thank you.

[Sadia Jafrin]

Complex problems often require collaboration among individuals from diverse backgrounds, as no single stakeholder can provide a comprehensive solution. A technical expert plays a crucial role in this collaborative effort by assessing and enhancing the effectiveness of technical solutions, ensuring they are both practical and innovative to address the multifaceted challenges at hand.