Engineering for sustainable development

The Greenhouse Project (Himalayan mountain region)

Problem

•        Short growing season because of high altitude and low 1
•        Fresh vegetables imported by lorry or by 2 , so are expensive
•        Need to use sunlight to prevent local plants from 3
•        Previous programmes to provide greenhouses were 4

New greenhouse

Meets criteria for sustainability

•        Simple and 5  to build
•        Made mainly from local materials (mud or stone for the walls, wood and 6  for the roof)
•        Building and maintenance done by local craftsmen
•        Puns solely on 7  energy
•        Only families who have a suitable 8  can own one

Design

•        Long side faces south
•        Strong polythene cover
•        Inner 9  are painted black or white

Social benefits

•        Owners’ status is improved
•        Rural 10  have greater opportunities
•        More children are educated