Appropriate Technology was coined by one of the founders of the sustainability movement EF Schumacher. His book Small is Beautiful encourages us to consider appropriate scale in development. He also was popular putting forward the idealistic notion of "Economics as if people mattered" in the development of that field and public policy overall.
While Soleri in the Beige Book belittled the Small is Beautiful notion, a more dense type of human habitat as put forward by visionaries like Paolo Soleri in order to be Socially Sustainable would have to consider people's needs rather than primarily considering the capitalists and developer's needs.
In terms of Arcology and or the development of a prototype Arcology model, Appropriate Technology would consider how to develop a City State system that embraces a Human Scale model of development where people matter and have a true voice in that urban environment. Appropriate Technology as in technology appropriate for authentic human development which is grassroots driven.
We understand that in this process it is not just about the technology but the very nature of how we learned, were inspired by it and then shared it with others within our networks and communities.
The key is to build something that fits together in a holistic human habitat, which is not only creating Synergies, but also leading to the development of Negentropic systems that reverse the trend of modern humanity to create dehumanizing and ecologically destructive entropy machines.
As part of any holistic approach we suggest an Asset-based modelling process that includes and incorporates a Whole Systems Approach to analyzing and understanding the challenges. Typically community development modelling incorporating Ecological Design methodologies include six or seven key sub-components or pillars to make up a circle that is divided into Pie Sections (1).
Ecology
Education
Culture
Economy
Health
Governance
Within the above process we can then categorize key elements of a sustainable human habitat according to key needs such as:
Renewable Energy Production Systems (also energy conservation)
Landscape and Land Use Management (includes erosion control)
The idea is that where ever Appropriate Technologies are applied they should be part of a well thought out plan that allows for some improvisation. However it is vital that there is some understanding of how the greater system is bringing the sub components together so as to create synergy. For the synergy is key to making the system operate on a level of effectiveness and well being that each of sub components to shine and operate on their highest within the larger system.
Notes:
oneVillage Foundation was a small NGO which pioneered one such approach (I was involved with this organization for several years) which sought to include the basic elements for a more comprehensive understanding of what needs to be considered in developing a healthy and prosperous human habitat: