Participatory Learning and Action 11:

This issue of RRA Notes is devoted to local-level adaptive planning. It reports the discussions and findings, together with 15 summary papers, of a workshop held in December 1990 in London, organised by IIED and the University of Birmingham. The aim of the workshop was to take stock of current experience in local-level participatory planning approaches, to reflect on how these relate to more conventional planning, and to explore the implications for organisation, management and institutionalisation of local-level planning in different settings. The principal findings and challenges for the future, as identified by participants, are recorded in Part A of this issue. Part B is a selection of the contributions made at the workshop.

Editorial

Jules Pretty and Ian Scoones

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PART A: Summary of workshop presentations and discussions

Local level adaptive planning: looking to the future
Jules Pretty and Ian Scoones

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Abstract
Reports on the discussions and findings of a workshop on Local-Level Adaptive Planning (London, December 1990).

PART B: Abstracts and Summaries of Individual Papers

A critique of landuse planning

1. Confessions of a reconstructed planner
Barry Dalal-Clayton

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Abstract
There will always be a need for national and regional strategic planning. But this process needs to involve information delivery to planners which is understandable and utilisable, and which reflects both national/regional and local needs. There is also a vital need for local- level planning which involves local communities in identifying issues and designing solutions. Planning systems which bring these two requirements together are needed.

2. Reorienting land use planning: towards a community participatory approach
Adrian Wood

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Abstract
The value of land use planning at the local level has been limited by a number of characteristics of the standard approach which has been followed. A new approach to land use planning is needed if this concept is to be more sensitive to the needs of rural communities.

Applications of participatory planning approaches

3. Planning for real: the approach of the Neighbourhood Initiative Foundation in the UK
Tony Gibson

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Abstract
A brief description of the Planning for Real approach.

4. Information for food security planning: asking local people. Case studies from Sudan and Mali
Margie Buchanan Smith and Susanna Davies

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Abstract
Information needs for food security planning are typically determined by donors or national government, and information collection to support it has been of a top-down, data-oriented nature. The alternative is a local-level, low-tech approach to information collection and analysis, designed to tap three sources of information: information available within local communities, purpose-built indigenous information systems, and local key informants. This kind of information system is more likely to create the conditions in which interactive planning with local people can take place.

5. ACORD’s experience in local planning in Mali and Burkina Faso
Chris Roche

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Abstract
In Mali and Burkina Faso ACORD has attempted, through a variety of support to informal and formal groups, to reinforce the participation of non-governmental structures in local planning mechanisms. In both cases collaboration with governmental technical services and planning bodies was seen as essential to this process, though problematic. This paper attempts to draw some conclusions relating particularly to the NGO/government relationship.

6. DELTA and village level planning in Sierra Leone: possibilities and pitfalls
Melissa Leach

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Abstract
DELTA (Development Education and Leadership Training for Action) was introduced in Sierra Leone in 1983 from Nigeria. The approach combines conscientisation ideas derived from Paulo Freire with US-derived management training principles and -originally- biblical messages. This paper analyses the institutional challenges posed by the DELTA approaches.

Institutionalising local-level planning

7. Adaptive local planning: institutional issues
Donald Curtis

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Abstract
Reflects on whether adaptive local planning techniques are sufficiently powerful, persuasive and, in themselves, adaptable to local situations to facilitate a breakthrough in the logjam of local institutional structures, procedures and interests that has so far set limits to the effectiveness of local planning.

8. The role of developed country institutions: is there a meeting point between the top-down and bottom-up?
Robin Grimble

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Abstract
Suggests institution strengthening as a role for international and developed country organisations, and considers the radical change in direction and attitude that this role would require.

9. What happened to participatory planning in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands?
Martin Adams

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Abstract
Little progress with participatory planning on ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) programmes has been achieved. Little attention has been paid to developing the process of participatory planning or to monitoring the degree to which it is being effected. There is clearly a need to develop a methodology which can be widely applied and which will encourage the participation of various community groups.

10. Local-level adaptive planning: winners and losers in Machakos District, Kenya
Mary Tiffin

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Abstract
Participation cannot be effective if it stays at the extremely local level. The decay of local government institutions and of local government independent revenue limits local people's power to influence; it increases that of civil servants, consultants, and aid agencies. This situation can only be changed by a conscious political decision of the government concerned.

11. Lessons from the project centre D’Alevinage Ladgo in North Cameroon
Henri Roggeri

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Abstract
The Project "Centre d'Alevinage Lagdo" in North Cameroon aims at mitigating the adverse effects of the Lagdo Dam. During the first implementation phases, the purpose of the project evolved towards the set up of a water management system at the village level, thus illustrating the adaptation capacity of the project. The main lessons drawn from the project's experience were: i) in ensuring participation, the organisation of the population is a crucial instrument; ii) the project staff must remain open to new developments, alert to events and incidents that occur in and around the village, and ready to show interest and provide assistance to unplanned activities.

12. RRA for local government planning in Northern Nigeria
Robert Leurs, Mal Jumare, A Andeley and S Ogede

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Abstract
Reports on the achievements, problems encountered and future prospects of a training project in project planning and management for local government officers in the northern states of Nigeria. One operational objective of these planning courses was to promote the generation of a poverty-focused grassroots information base through the application of RRA techniques.

Governments and NGOs linkages

13.NGOs as brokers in agricultural R&E planning
Kate Wellard

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Abstract
If NGOs are able to represent the views of their members at national level, then potentially they can act as brokers between rural people and goverment planners, research and extension staff on a much wider scale. This brief paper examines the conditions for successful translation of local farmers' needs into practical R&E programmes.

14. Planning rural development in local organisations in the Andes: what role for regional and national scaling up?
Tony Bebbington

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Abstract
Argues that much of the enthusiasm for participatory grassroots level planning by NGOs and peasant organisations has often neglected the broader regional and political economy within which these institutions operate. Potential complementarities between the two sectors should be exploited for a more efficient use of resources.

Organisational and management issues

15. What is different about managing non-government organisations (NGOs) involved in Third World development
Alan Fowler

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Abstract
Argues that NGOs are unable to define the necessary distinctions - in management terms - between organisations whose purpose is socioeconomic development in the South and others whose purpose is profit or the running of a nation state. As a result, they find it difficult to decide what is appropriate management for development and therefore how best to develop their management. The main differences in organisational characteristics are briefly analysed.