This book is the most comprehensive treatise available on the subject of application of methods and tools from the repertoire of Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) in micro-level planning for rural development. It contains authoritative discussions on conceptual issues, principles, databases, methodologies and case studies in PLA as applied to rural development planning. There are nine chapters in the book. Chapter 1 is on the architecture and engineering of PLA and its sources. Chapter 2 deals with the similarities and potentials of micro-level planning and PLA, which in effect contains a clear analysis of the principles and philosophies of the two disciplines, as it were. Chapters 3 and 4, provide the soft system and the hard system approach to micro-level planning using PLA methods. The details of databases and kinds of data required for different levels of micro-level planning are in chapter 5. Chapter 6 and 7 are case studies from Africa where PLA has been used for preparing micro-level plans. In chapter 8, a case study exhibiting use of PLA techniques for a block plan in India has been included. Chapter 9 provides a tactical plan for village development from Indonesia. All these plans are real plans, involving the community in full measure. Though the primary focus of the book is on micro-level planning for rural areas, the principles and methodologies apply as much to urban planning as well. The book, likes its earlier edition, will be an invaluable guide to practitioners, academicians, planners, development functionaries and government officials who are interested in participatory micro-level planning.
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