Article "Low-tech approaches for sustainability: key principles from the literatureand practice". Tanguy & al, 2022
Type de ressource
- Article
Thématique de la ressource
- Démarche low-tech
Site web
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/15487733.2023.2170143?needAccess=true&role=button
Description
ABSTRACT
Low-tech approaches have come to the fore in the last few years, mainly in opposition to the techno-optimistic model proposed to solve current and future environmental crises.However, low-tech thinking is multifaceted, making the concept potentially rich but alsovague. This article develops a seven-principle framework to categorize low-tech conceptsbased on an abductive approach which included a literature review and interviews withlow-tech actors. Principle occurrence was assessed among the authors and interviewees. Theresults demonstrate that the low-tech movement entails more than a shift to robust andless-consumptive technical artifacts. While resource efficiency and material reuse are import-ant traits of low-tech approaches, technical appropriation is the most frequently cited keyprinciple in the literature and by the actors. This delineation into several principles can helpto differentiate low-tech from other sustainability concepts related to resource conservationsuch as frugal innovations and circular economy. We aim in this article to open a discussionabout the ways low-tech proponents are seeking to introduce transformative developmentpathways to sustainability.
Low-tech approaches have come to the fore in the last few years, mainly in opposition to the techno-optimistic model proposed to solve current and future environmental crises.However, low-tech thinking is multifaceted, making the concept potentially rich but alsovague. This article develops a seven-principle framework to categorize low-tech conceptsbased on an abductive approach which included a literature review and interviews withlow-tech actors. Principle occurrence was assessed among the authors and interviewees. Theresults demonstrate that the low-tech movement entails more than a shift to robust andless-consumptive technical artifacts. While resource efficiency and material reuse are import-ant traits of low-tech approaches, technical appropriation is the most frequently cited keyprinciple in the literature and by the actors. This delineation into several principles can helpto differentiate low-tech from other sustainability concepts related to resource conservationsuch as frugal innovations and circular economy. We aim in this article to open a discussionabout the ways low-tech proponents are seeking to introduce transformative developmentpathways to sustainability.
Auteur
Audrey Tanguy, Lisa Carrière and Valérie Laforest
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