Development Strategies (OCR GCSE Geography B)
Revision Note
Written by: Bridgette Barrett
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
Top-Down Strategies
Top-down development schemes are usually expensive
The schemes happen as a result of government or TNCs
They often involve borrowing money
Local people affected by the scheme often have little say in the process
Grand Inga Dam
The proposed Grand Inga Dam will be the world's largest hydropower scheme
Located on the Congo River
Some funding for feasibility and impact studies was provided by:
The World Bank
African Development Bank
European Investment Bank
French Development Agency
Development Bank of South Africa
It involves building contracts with companies from:
China
Korea
Spain
Advantages and Disadvantages of Grand Inga Dam
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Cheaper and more available energy supply - up to 40,000MW Provides jobs Energy can be exported to nearby countries | Cost US$80 billion There is little infrastructure to transmit energy to poor and remote communities Flooding of the Bundi valley Displacement of over 30,000 people Prone to corruption |
Bottom-up Strategy
Bottom-up development schemes are relatively low-cost
Usually organised by NGOs and/or local people
They target the poorest communities and involve local people at all stages
Use appropriate technology which can be maintained and used by local people
Transition for Inclusive Development in Eastern DRC (TRIDE)
A bottom-up strategy which aims to improve:
Food security - improved farming techniques
Water resource management - improved sanitation and clean water supply
The TRIDE project covers 137 villages within 8 chefferies in North and South Kivu
Involves stakeholders including:
Mwamis (traditional leaders of chefferies)
Civil Societies
Women's organisations
Youth organisations
Advantages and Disadvantages of TRIDE
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Improved clean water access for the villages Water for irrigation Improved sanitation - reduced disease Local communities are involved in the decision-making Long term sustainability Low environmental impact | Small-scale - only benefits communities within the project Doesn't attract investment from TNCs Doesn't create additional jobs Little trickle-down impact |
Worked Example
Which one of the following is the correct description of bottom-up development?
(1 mark)
A. When local communities have their views ignored
B. When non-governmental organisations (NGOs) work in cooperation with local communities to find out about their needs
C. When the government make decisions about what is best for people in the country
D. When the World Bank gives money to the government to help them to develop
Answer
B: When NGOs work in cooperation with local communities to find out about their needs
The alternative answers are incorrect because:
A: Local communities are involved in bottom-up strategies
C and D: These are descriptions of top-down development
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You need to ensure that you have examples of both top-down and bottom-up development for the exam. You may have a different example to the DRC outlined above but you should be able to describe the project and include some place-specific details in your answers.
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