Abstract
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is widely used in participatory research. Developed originally for rural communities, its focus has been broadened to include urban populations. This article compares two PRA experiences that have initiated participatory planning and evaluation in a rural and a periruban zone of Senegal. Implemented by a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that is active in both environments, the periurban experience tested the adaptability of PRA beyond its traditional rural settings. PRA was found to provide a set of tools for community assessment, planning, and evaluation that offer tremendous potential if adapted appropriately to specific settings and needs. Although these tools were designed for use in rural settings, most of them can be applied equally well to exploratory or thematic assessments in the periurban setting.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Antoine, P., Bocquier, P., Fall, A.S., Guisse, Y.M., Nanitelamio, J. (1995).Les familles dakaroises face à la crise. Dakar, Sénégal: IFAN, ORSTOM, and CEPED.
Chambers, R., Guijt, I. (1995). PRA—five years later: Where are we now?Forests, Trees and People, 26/27, 10–13.
Cornwall, A., Jewkes, R. (1995). What is participatory research?Social Science and Medicine, 41(12), 1667–1676.
Collier, W., Santoso, K. (1992).Surabaya water environment study: An application of rapid urban appraisal techniques. Indonesia: PT Intersys Kelola Maju.
Cottam, H. (1994). The death of the clinic? Participatory urban appraisal (PUA) in a Domincan barrio.RRA NOTES, 21, 28–33.
Fall, A.S. (1992) Light, rapid, rural appraisal: des méthodologies brillantes et légères?Afrique Espoir, 7.
Falu, A., Curutchet, M. (1991). Re-housing the urban poor: Looking at women first.Environment and Urbanization, 3(2), 23–38.
Freedman, J. (1994).Participatory evaluations: Making projects work. Technical Paper No. TP94/2. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary.
Gueye, B. (1994a).Relais ‘MARP’, No 2, 4.
Gueye, A.K. (1994b).Etude diagnostic du quartier de Medina Gounass par la méthode accélerée de recherche participative. Dakar, Sénégal: Internal Report for Plan International Dakar-Urbain.
Kelly, K. (1994). PRA clinic report. Paper presented at the one-day PRA clinic. Nairobi, Kenya.
Leach, M. (1994). Targeting aid to the poorest in urban Ethiopia—is it possible? Rapid urban appraisal.RRA Notes, 21, 48–55.
Leurs, R. (1996). Current challenges facing participatory rural appraisal.Public Administration and Development, 16, 853.1-16.
Mitlin, D., Thompson, J. (1994). Addressing the gaps or dispelling the myths? Participatory approaches in low-income urban communities.RRA Notes, 21, 3–12.
Norton, A. (1994). Observations on urban applications of PRA methods from Ghana and Zambia: Participatory poverty assessments.RRA Notes, 21, 55–57.
PLAN International Louga. (1995).Annual field office progress report. PLAN International.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rachel, L. Participatory rural appraisal beyond rural settings: A critical assessment from the nongovernmental sector. Knowledge and Policy 10, 56–70 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02912487
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02912487