ABSTRACT
Though not new, adaptive approaches to development are increasingly becoming mainstream in development discourse and practice. An underlying premise of adaptive development is that outcomes cannot be assumed or planned in advance, such is the case with linear, technical approaches to development. Rather, development programmes must be responsive both to their environment, and to learning along the way in order to find successful pathways to change. Advocating adaptive development, Aidan Craney, Lisa Denney, David Hudson and Ujjwal Krishna highlight the need for adaptability and reflexive practice in development work that centres a strong emphasis on cultivating a deep understanding of the local context and investing in learning. Drawing on case studies from the Philippines, Sri Lankan and Oceania, the authors offer examples of adaptive management, problem-driven iterative adaptation (PDIA), and thinking and working politically (TWP) as a way of providing pedagogies, strategies and tools relevant to students and practitioners of development.
