The document proposes an alternative approach called "DownScaling the Web" to connect the unconnected through more sustainable and localized solutions. It argues that the current approach of using the internet backbone concentrated in large urban areas of developed countries is not accessible or affordable for many. DownScaling involves creating inexpensive, sustainable solutions and technologies adapted to local contexts, constraints, languages, and needs. It advocates for an iterative development process that involves context and needs assessments, working with local organizations, and building on existing workflows and expertise. The goal is to facilitate information sharing and communication for currently unconnected communities in a way that is community-based, contextualized, and sustainable.

1. DownScaling the Web
A sustainable framework
for ICT4D
DownScale Workshop - ICT4S Conference 20 16
29 August 2016 - Amsterdam
Anna Bon, Hans Akkermans & Jaap Gordijn

2. Half the world population is
“Unconnected” to the Web

3. What is the common approach to
connect the unconnected?
“Given that the Internet has become an
indispensable tool for realizing a range of
human rights, combating inequality, and
accelerating development and human progress,
ensuring universal access to the Internet should
be a priority for all States.”
Frank La Rue, 2011
UN Special Rapporteur

4. An alternative approach:
“DownScaling the Web”
• The current Web uses the
Internet as its unique
backbone;
• Internet backbone is
concentrated in large urban
centres, in developed
countries;
• Needs electricity,
datacenters, infrastructure;
• Uses expensive devices;
• Internet is expensive for
the poor.

5. What do we mean by “DownScaling
the Web”?
• Facilitating information
sharing and
communication for
people who are
currently unconnected:
• Creating inexpensive,
sustainable solutions
and contextualized
technologies.

6. Sustainability of supply driven ICT
solutions for development often
questioned:

7. Linear approaches, required by donors
(logframes)

8. Intervention vs adaptation in ICT

9. Donor-driven projects require a fixed
path from start to end

10. Moreover: What is
development?
And who sets the development
goals?

11. We propose a new low-resource aware
framework for DownScaling
“ICT4D 3.0”

12. Context analysis: reveals local
constraints
• Low levels of literacy
• Many different
languages spoken
• Poor infrastructures:
(no electricity in the
villages, no internet,
only radio/2G mobile)
• Low purchasing power

13. Needs assessment: users set goals
• Find local customers
• Treat/prevent animal disease
• Combat soil degradation
• Predict rainfall
• Receive flood alerts
• Know more about
regreening

14. Use case and requirements analysis

15. Iterative development, testing,
deployment: examples
Mali Milk 3.0
DigiVet
Mr Meteo

16. innovation4dev
• The Case of: Knowledge sharing for Food Security in
Rural Africa through adaptive, collaborative
technology (ICT) development, 2009 - ongoing
Sustainability
assessment

17. Best kept secrets of
sustainable projects
• Partnerships with local organizations
• Talking frequently to end-users
• Long term collaboration
• Combining knowledge domains
• Supporting local innovation
• Building on local expertise
• Starting from legacy work flows

18. Conclusion: How do we see the future
Web??
DownScaled
Contextualized
Community-Based