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Transfer of Earth-Based TechnologiesThe Earth Institute - Auroville, Tamil NaduMarch 2011Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reformsand Public GrievancesMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions,Government of Indiahttp://indiagovernance.gov.in/Researched and Documented byOneWorld Foundation Indiawww.oneworld.net.inowsa@oneworld.net

Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public GrievancesMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsGovernment of IndiaCase StudyEnvironmental SustainabilityTransfer of Earth- Based TechnologiesTRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITYMarch 2011week of stability calculations and one week of building design. Trainees are asked to completesurveys at the end of the course and indicate their satisfaction and learning levels. To enhancethis feedback mechanism, the Earth Institute plans to integrate a one year follow-up emailsystem with all trainees.Training Course FeesSTUDENTSTECHNICIANS ARCHITECTS4000 6500 8000* All fees are in rupees per week. Fees are inclusive of accommodation and food.Outside of the short-term term training programmes, the Earth Institute hopes to roll-out one-yeardiploma programmes for which they have already designed plan details. A vocational trainingcentre would cater to both technicians and offer a Masters degree for engineers.Proposed Diplomas:• Post diploma: Earth architecture (For architects /engineers)• Diploma: Bare foot earth architect (For SME entrepreneurs)• Diploma: Master mason earth builder (For unskilled workers)METHODOLOGYThe Governance KnowledgeCentre research team identified the Earth Institute’s promotion ofearth-based technology transfer as a best practice in public service delivery based on a numberof factors. First, the institute has been successful in promoting the technique across the globe.Second, the Earth Institute has helped to develop an environmentally friendly, contextuallyappropriate, and cost effective technology for infrastructure development. Third, they havefound a way to leverage this expertise for the enhancement of livelihoods lihoods and towards theconservation of natural resources.Secondary research was conducted in New Delhi from online sources, namely the EarthInstitute’s comprehensive website. The research team then travelled to Auroville, where they7Researched and documented byOneWorld Foundation India

Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public GrievancesMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsGovernment of IndiaCase StudyEnvironmental SustainabilityTransfer of Earth- Based TechnologiesTRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITYMarch 2011conducted a semi-structured interview with the Head Architect. Primary research helped to fillgaps and ensure depth in understanding.KEY STAKEHOLDERSAuroville Earth InstituteUNESCOCRATerre (The International Centre for Earth Construction)HUDCOLESSONS LEARNEDDespite a number of challenges faced in the promotion of earthenbasedtechnologies, the Auroville Earth Institute continues to standas a best practice in infrastructure development, livelihoodcreation and environmental protection.Determined pursuit of goalsAs is often the case when change is pursued, resistance to a shiftfrom conventional architecture has been great. The Earth Institutehas used an effective approach to changing mindsets – this is theuse of examples, both historical and current. For one, the oldestbuilding in the world lies in Luxor, Egypt. This building was made of earthen materials andremains intact today. There are similar examples of ancient monasteries and other structureswhich have experienced extreme weather and natural conditions, including snowfall andearthquakes, yet have survived over the centuries while the buildings surrounding them thatwere not constructed through earthen materials have fallen.Today, the Earth Institute shows that not only are earth-based technologies sustainable due totheir durability, but that they should be considered for mainstreaming due to a number of otheradvantages. By developing the AURAM Press 3000 to develop CSEBs and utilising this in anoverabundant labour market, a tropical climate, with poor village communities, the EarthInstitute provides additional evidence for the use of earthen architecture. In addition toemployment of unskilled labour and association of minimal costs and superior thermo-regulation in infrastructure, the use of CSEBs can promote livelihoods and protect theenvironment in a sustainable manner, as shown through the Earth Institute’s action-basedresearch.8Researched and documented byOneWorld Foundation India

Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public GrievancesMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsGovernment of IndiaCase StudyEnvironmental SustainabilityTransfer of Earth- Based TechnologiesTRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITYMarch 2011To further promote the understanding and use of these technologies, the institute has designeda one-year master’s course for which they continue to seek approval.Making a ‘niche’ practice, a ‘popular’ practiceAlthough this is an area under which the Earth Institute continues to progress, it has made acommendable amount of headway in popularising earthen architecture. Most importantly,however, is how they have contributed to the understanding of the significance of upscalingthrough outreach on a wider scale.Niche markets, including green architects, businesses and citizenry, are the lifeline throughwhich CSEB technology has thrived. The Earth Institute recognises that this is too small of anaudience for such a powerful practice, therefore they work to disseminate knowledge throughwritten and oral practices to a greater number of people.Integrated and convergent strategiesThe Auroville Earth Institute model takes a holistic approach towards infrastructuredevelopment. Architecture – the design and erection of buildings – constitutes key publicservices including housing and business infrastructure. Although focused on architecture, theinstitute has not only brought about effective ways of delivering these crucial public services, ithas also linked related development goals of environmental protection and livelihoodgeneration to its mission.The research and training centre, through its integrated developmental approach, encourages‘sustainable practice’ throughout its efforts; at the core, is the use of ‘earth’ for development,directly linking the Institute’s goals to the essence of sustainability.Research was carried out by the OneWorld Foundation, Governance Knowledge Centre (GKC) team.Documentation was created by Knowledge and Research Coordinator, Nicole Anand.For further information, please contact Naimur Rahman, Director, OWFI at owsa@oneworld.net9Researched and documented byOneWorld Foundation India

Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public GrievancesMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsGovernment of IndiaCase StudyEnvironmental SustainabilityTransfer of Earth- Based TechnologiesTRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITYMarch 2011APPENDIX A: INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE1. Can you explain the origins of the Auroville Earth Institute- Originally, in 1989, it was theAuroville Building Centre / Earth Unit, but then became the current institute in 2004 – can youexplain the transition?a. What was HUDCO’s role then and now?b. What is the institute’s relationship with UNESCO?2. According to our research, the Earth Institute majorly conducts research and development ofearth based technologies. Then dissemination of the materials is done through training courses,seminars, workshops, manuals and documents. Can you explain each of these r & d efforts infurther detail – how often are courses held? For whom are they held? Is there a fee to attend? Ifso, how much is it?a. How are people ple made aware of the technology transfer courses offered?b. Our research says that the most promoted technology today is Compressed Stabilised EarthBlocks (CSEB), can you describe this technology in detail – how are the blocks made and whatare they made from? Why are they desirable for house construction?c. Can you describe the diploma programmes- how they function, what they teach etc.?3. A major goal of the institute is to enable people to create and build for themselves their ownhabitat, while using raw earth as a building material for sustainable and cost effectivedevelopment. To ensure this, is there a monitoring mechanism or some sort of process in placeto follow up with those who have been trained or attended workshops? If so, what is theprocess?4. Can you describe the major challenges, if any, that the institute has faced in achieving itsgoals? How have these been overcome?10Researched and documented byOneWorld Foundation India

Governance Knowledge CentrePromoted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public GrievancesMinistry of Personnel, Public Grievances and PensionsGovernment of IndiaCase StudyEnvironmental SustainabilityTransfer of Earth- Based TechnologiesTRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITYMarch 20115. Why is the use of earth-based technologies important to development (environmental etc.)?How has the institute impacted the communities it has serviced (i.e. in terms of skill building,number of earth-based building constructed, number of workshops attendees etc.)?6. What is the current penetration level of activities? Are there plans to upscale in the futureand if so, what do these plans consist of?7. What makes the Earth Institute’s programmes unique and/or effective?11Researched and documented byOneWorld Foundation India