ABSTRACT

This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part provides case studies of public participation in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and the Yemen Arab Republic. It discusses popular participation in water management in Gal Oya, Sri Lanka. The experience of the Agrarian Research and Training Institute in Colombo and the Rural Development Committee of Cornell University offers an extended case study of participatory planning and management. The rehabilitation project for Gal Oya as initially designed gave little attention or resources for the "software" of irrigation improvement. The part analyzes a participative approach to irrigation development in the Philippines. It describes experiences of rural development programs in Bangladesh. The part provides self-help and development planning in the Yemen Arab Republic. Under rather unique circumstances, local development associations in the Yemen Arab Republic have been notably successful in bringing basic services to rural and urbanized areas.