Manfred Poppe

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN VILLAGE APPRAISALS

AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS:
RAPID DISTRICT APPRAISAL FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

In order to become more responsive towards local development issues, regional planning is in
need of a fairly accurate picture of regional conditions based on actual information. Reliable
sources of information have to be identified and appropriate methods to retrieve data that
contain the information deemed necessary devised. In line with the already widely practised
participatory appraisal and planning concepts that emerged during recent years for planning
on the village level, also for the task of regional development planning innovative approaches
can be formulated which facilitate the objective of regional analysis by means of "rapid
appraisal" processes and techniques thus enhancing the planners' knowledge about
development needs and opportunities. Through a methodology of "Rapid Distict Appraisal"
which addresses the demands for both quantitative and qualitative data, information can be
generated that, at the same time, does not produce huge stocks of data of which eventually
only a small amount will be needed to accomplish the objectives of regional analysis.
Put into a more systematic planning context, rapid district appraisal is a reiterative step
within a sequence of regional planning activities to gather and interpret data in a more
substantial, issues-oriented manner without aiming at comprehensiveness of information.
Instead, a more focused approach is carried out which concentrates on the prospective key
problems of a region and the opportunities for regional development by looking at the various
settings and processes that constitute a regional system. Settings are defined as integrated
spheres of regional development factors which, in interaction with each other determine the
course of development of the region. Therefore, it is paramount for regional planning to
become more thoroughly acquainted with the parameters that operate within a spatial setting
and the underlying processes in terms of resource mobilization and productive utilization,
ecological base conditions and hazards, social differentiation of regional communities and
institutional patterns of organization. All of these factors are decisive for the future path of
regional development, yet intervention by planning depends on a proper understanding of the
forces at work.
The following article provides the conceptual outline of "Rapid District Appraisal" for
regional and local development planning in order to bridge the gap between often isolated
participatory appraisals which lack spatial coherence through "scaling up", and more often
than not superficial regional analysis which lacks empirical foundation and misses the reality
of regional processes. The methodology concentrates on the procedural aspects in order to
generate insight among planners on how to practically utilize this approach and integrate it
into the existing planning procedures and processes.
In some detail, the article therefore will outline the required methodology for devising
analytical strategies that are more focused towards the imminent issues of a region's
development. The value of different types of appraisal methods and their flexibility to be

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adapted to differing information needs will be addressed. Suggestions on how to plan,
organize and implement rapid and participatory appraisals and focused surveys that support
the data and information needs during short- and/or mid- to long-term development planning
will be forwarded.

2. ACTUAL NEEDS FOR REGIONAL ANALYSIS ...

Regional planners, when confronted with the need for regional analysis often resort to
statistics as provided by sectoral agencies, assuming that data reflect actual conditions and
that a compilation from secondary sources is sufficient for decision-making. While this is a
common stance among officials who are not eager to attend to field issues themselves but
rather consider planning a desk-based activity that can well be conducted from a far distance,
the lack of meaningful impacts from this type of planning shows that formulated policies
often do not meet local conditions, the former being too uniform to address different regional
contexts and respond towards local potentials and problems. The failures of development
planning based on insufficient local information become more pronounced, if like in the case
of several South-east-Asian countries being in a state of socio-economic deterioration due to
the massive societal crisis fresh policy and planning initiative on how to rescue the economy,
stabilize socio-economic conditions and re-establish the foundations for economic growth is
required.
Responsive regional planning entails policy formulation and programming based on actual
information about regional strengths that constitute a source of potentials as well as existing
or newly emerging weaknesses and vulnerabilities propelled by the current crisis. The
economic crisis, although defined nation-wide still bears region-specific differentiation which
places increased pressure on the local government's capacity to comprehend regional
conditions and to extract meaningful data that enable planners and policy-makers to
formulate appropriate programs that are responsive to imminent regional problems and
potentials. A regional anlysis, therefore has to address the complex web of social as well as
economic, ecological and institutional aspects in order to provide a full picture of a region's
setting. On a regional scale the available potentials to cope with strategic development tasks
have to be identified, for instance the potential to enhance agricultural productivitiy or
utilizing idle land in order to extend the productive area. Prominent issues in many rural
regions pertain to the accomplishment of food security, increased non-agricultural
employment creation and the strengthening of communities to become more pro-active in
launching local initiatives to utilize opportunities. Non-agricultural sources of employment
and hence, income have to be mobilized more effectively thus lifting a region's economy to a
state of productivity and diversification that allows to substitute for a lack of agricultural
produce through increased extra-regional trade.
This brief illustration of development needs already indicates the necessity for actual data by
means of a differentiated regional analysis and better focused data gathering approaches
which are able to verify the actual state of the regions' conditions and its various constituents
such as local communities, farmers, entrepreneurs, women, children as well as organizations
and informal groups. Yet, it also shows the need for a wider inclusion of regional actors into
data gathering, analysis and further utilization of results by means of participatory appraisal
and planning approaches. While regional planning is supposed to conduct a fairly

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comprehensive and continuously updated procedure of regional analysis for which a wide
choice of more or less suitable techniques is available, it is insufficient to continue with the
conventional type of analyses often based on quantitative and highly aggregated data which
omitt the myriad of qualitative details that account for a differentiated and more integrated
picture of actual conditions. Differentiations between and within regions therefore warrant an
approach of "rapid district appraisal" (RDA) that is able to bridge the gap between aggregate
regional analysis usually done by means of quantitative techniques, by and large elusive of
qualitative regional aspects, and the need for understanding the causes and effects of
prevalent factors that bear on prevalent phenomena. In this situation the planner will have to
resort to more pragmatic, flexible and participatory appraisal techniques that tap local
indigenous knowledge in order to complement the already existing sets of aggregated data by
genuine local information.

3. ... AND THE "RAPID DISTRICT APPRAISAL" APPROACH

Rapid district appraisal (RDA) is a focused approach to regional analysis based on a set of
distinct principles that promote wider participation and facilitate data gathering and
interpretation. The methodology can be flexibly adjusted to different purposes of appraisal
such as a regional profile analysis, a topical appraisal of social or environmental factors, or
an evaluation of achievements during the previous planning period. RDA embraces a concern
for participatory development as the scope for involvement of different sources of
information from among the regional community is vastly increased, according to the scale
and substance of the planning task ahead.
To this end rapid district appraisal consists of a basket of different types of methods which
are adapted to the required scope and depth of analysis and based on a variety of sources of
information. It is different from conventional quantitative approaches to regional analysis
which aim at superficial comprehensiveness of information, however, quite often limit
themselves to the interpretation of secondary data. RDA relies on a set of distinct methods for
desciptive, qualitative and participatory analysis, the latter being adapted from the widely
known PRA (cf. Chambers 1992), guiding the appraisal process towards knowing what is not
worth knowing (also called "optimal ignorance") and recognizing the degree of accuracy that
is required ("proportionate accuracy").
As a methodology to promote participation of local communities in regional planning and
management, RDA emulates the three pillars of PRA, i.e. sharing and partnership with local
people; suitable methods and required behaviour; eventually the awareness of individual
attitudes and a willingness to adapt. (cf. Chambers 1997)
In more conceptual-methodical terms the prevalent methodology of aggregate regional
analysis which retains plannerS from fully understanding about local conditions has to be
supplemented by more "rapid" (Rapid Rural Appraisal) and "participatory" (PRA) appraisal
techniques. Planners and policy-makers hence have to be enabled to mobilize additional
sources of knowledge and to better understand the factors behind too generalized images of a
region's development.
In a nutshell, the RDA approach advocated consists of several stages that gradually enhance
the focus on actual problems and available potentials and opportunities. Using existing

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secondary data, a first attempt at regional analysis that will yield some information on
aggregate conditions can be done. The results may point to some specific issues which cannot
be answered by the secondary data. Such issues, however, can be addressed by RRA/PRA,
through field visits and participatory qualitative techniques that involve the local population
in its strategic orientation and implementation. The primary information obtained through
these methods will provide a more in-depth knowledge that adds significant substance to the
understanding of regional development processes based on local resources, activities, and
spatial-functional interlinkages.
Another important aspect of RDA as an alternative approach to regional analysis pertains to
the way how data are being utilized. Planning information is supposed to be utilized for a
range of purposes, among them the formulation of appropriate policies for regional
development. Regional policy making establishes a framework of objectives for regional
development and guides development strategies as a plan of action to realize a vision. The
quality of policy making, however, largely depends on the way how inputs are secured. RDA
can make a significant difference in the way how this information is gathered and who is
provided the opportunity to contribute to the data gathering process by means of which
methods. The plea here is for a participatory process that involves all strata of society and for
a "bottom up" fashion of planning which improves the foundations for decision-making on
future policies on the regional level.

4. POLICY FOUNDATIONS OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR RDA

Apart from methodical aspects, RDA must also be guided by a clear understanding on behalf
of planners about the conceptual options available to them. Planners, hence should know
about policy approaches such as "spatial-functional integration" and "endogenous
development" in order to select that mix of strategies that is most suitable to accomplish
stated objectives. Both approaches are based on different theoretical foundations and also
need different sets of data and information in order to become operational.
In the following a closer look at the data requirements for RDA shall be taken based on two
alternative conceptual perspectives, that of spatial-functional integration of areas into the
wider socio-economic context of the country, as incorporated in the modernization and
growth-pole strategy, and that of endogenous development through a decentralized and
territorial approach that focuses on the regional strengths and weaknesses. A comparative
view will enable to evaluate the relevance of regional peculiarities for each of them, the
likely consequences of the one or other approach for the practice of RDA and the political
leverage opening up through the one or other.
Spatial-functional integration is based on the notion that a well-articulated and integrated
system of growth centres of different sizes and functional characteristics can play an
important role in facilitating a more wide-spread regional development. It aims at
establishing inter-sectoral relationships in order to achieve a maximum efficiency in the
allocation of resources. Based on this "functional" regional development perspective that
draws on theories such as location and central place, all embedded in the overall theory of
modernization, the establishment of regional growth or development poles is dominating
regional development efforts in several developing countries.

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A development pole being a complex of activities agglomerated around a "propulsive
activity", the growth-pole concept of spatial development is the idea that by investing heavily
in capital-intensive industries in the largest urban centers, economic growth can be
stimulated. The economies of scale would provide high rates of return on investment, support
the infrastructural services needed to operate efficiently and diversify the growth pole's
economy. Goods produced in the growth pole would be exported to the major urban centres
of the country, and the free operation of market forces would create "trickle down"-processes
that in turn stimulate economic growth throughout the region.
The endogenous development approach, on the other hand, emphasizes the internal potentials
an area is inhabiting and treats areas as single, integrated and self-governing units. Based on
human and natural resources which constitute local strengths and capabilities, regional needs
shall be met in a self-reliant way. The approach assumes that in most developing countries
the primary stimulus to regional development must be through agricultural rather than
through industrial development. It also includes aspects of socio-political change such as
self-determination and self-direction (cf. the concepts on agropolitan development, territorial
approach and "development from below", cf. Weaver 1988).
Regional endogenous development is perceived as a process "from below" which aims at the
development of a locally integrated and diversified agro-based economy where regional
surplus is reinvested in order to generate small-scale and labour intensive rural production
activities. Development "from below", however, is not simply related to the level at which
decisions on development are being taken. This is a necessary but not a sufficient condition
for such a strategy. "Development would need to be considered ... as an integral process of
widening opportunities for individuals, social groups and territorially organized communities
at small and intermediate scale, and mobilizing the full range of their capabilities and
resources for the common benefit in social, economic and political terms." (Stoehr/Taylor
1981:39)
In economic terms development "from below" would require the control of the "backwash
effects" of development from above. It is foremost necessary to change the interaction
patterns between different regions and the creation of dynamic development impulses within
less-developed areas through the identification and utilization of endogenous factors to
increase developmental dynamics. The greater part of any regional surplus created through
specialized production patterns should be invested for the diversification of the regional
economy. This would promote integrated economic circuits and development effects which
would successively pass upward.
Both approaches are based on some development theories which either emphasize a "product
orientation" (as embedded in modernization theory), or a "participatory orientation" (based
on polarization theory). These theories influence the relevance of internal potentials for
regional development. Whereas the product-orientation leads to a strategy of removing
bottle-necks in order to utilize regional resources more efficiently, polarization theory
underlying endogenous development concepts considers disparities as caused by exogenous
factors which would have to be opposed by local political power and participation.
It is easy to comprehend that the resulting development policies comprise quite different sets
of objectives. They can be labelled as centralized, decentralized or regionalized policy, each

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of them placing different emphasis on the utilization of regional potentials and, most
important, on the degree of regional self-determination.
• The centralized policy aims at supra-regional integration of productive resources
through a functional delimitation of space.
• The decentralized policy aims at a more regionally based functional integration of
center and periphery.
• The regionalized policy advances that regional needs and interests must determine
territorial development.
In consequence, it can be seen that the strategies of spatial-functional integration and
endogenous development in themselves offer scope for variation depending on their
penetration by centralized or decentralized power and authority.
Yet, in order to arrive at conclusive insights on the nature of regional development, it is
essential to obtain accurate information on the state of regional development factors and
processes that have a bearing on the advocated approach. Based on experience with
modernization policies which tend to neglect local communities' interests and aspirations, in
the following we opt for an endogenous development approach that emphasizes participatory
development and conceptullay supports the application of RDA in a profound manner when it
comes to the utilization of information for policy-making.
In line with the afore-mentioned theoretical aspects the proposed concept of a region
underlying RDA is that of regions as integrated "resource - production - human settlement"
systems. According to this view regions consist of several distinct settings (natural/physical,
economic, social, and institutional) which are functionally interrelated. They provide the
spatial framework for a wide range of activities based on the utilization of regional resources
in different locations which are connected through diverse spatial-functional linkages.
Planners must possess sufficiently accurate information based on these operational "appraisal
categories" that generate an empirical understanding of the regional development processes
within the defined area. Rapid district appraisal, hence, will have to concentrate on the
following components of the regional system:

Table 1: Components of the Regional System as Operational "Appraisal Categories"

RESOURCES as the region' s overall endowment with natural and man-made factors which
determine its scope of productive and social activities

ACTIVITIES as the region' s patterns of production and reproduction based on needs and
potential opportunities

LOCATIONS as the region' s system of places where development factors interact with
each other and and are interlinked through micro- and macro-networks

LINKAGES as the regional actors' desire and efforts to link up with each other for various
purposes within and outside the area

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It becomes evident that RDA in order to support a policy of endogenous development
information-wise must be directed towards the regions internal conditions in a comprehensive
and spatially integrated manner.

5. METHODOLOGY, PHASES AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS OF RAPID DISTRICT APPRAISAL

RDA forms a process of iterative regional analysis combining macro- and micro-level
analytical techniques into an approach that is based on particular policy and planning-related
objectives to be achieved. Information generated through this methodology is deemed
important for regional level policy making as well as adjustment of central level programmes
to specific regional and local circumstances where local knowledge is appreciated as an
essential input to the decision-making process on issues such as economic opportunities, food
security, employment generation, social values and acceptance, empowerment of
communities and other locally verified development issues. Thus the data generated can
contribute to short-term action planning as well as to mid- and long-term regional
development planning in a meaningful manner by mobilizing previously untapped sources of
information through the involvement of a wide array of local actors as participants who in the
past all too often were ignored by the established planning mechanisms.
The approach enables to combine descriptive macro-level data on regional settings such as
the economy, the ecology, social and cultural environments up to the institutional context
with micro-level details in order to build up a more comprehensive, methodically integrated
as well as substantially balanced picture of the actual regional conditions. Throughout the
RDA process the focus of analysis will be enhanced in order to accomplish a refined
understanding of these regionally integrated and functionally interrelated factors. By
"focusing in" on the relevant variables and their indicators an empirically based
understanding of the ongoing regional processes, its actors and activities in regional
development will be generated. An initial problem analysis provides the framework for
orientation of data gathering activities in the field. Based on the relevant issues which often
cut across narrowly defined sectoral or spatial borders the devised data gathering techniques
have to be handled flexibly and adapted to the different local situations and actors involved.

The Appraisal Methodology: Screening, Scoping, and Focusing the RDA

The approach proceeds in four phases of rapid district appraisal gradually moving towards a
more focused analysis of the region's conditions, problems and potentials. Each phase yields
specific results, and in totality they generate a more integrated, qualitatively supported
picture on regional development conditions. Prior to executing any appraisal the specific
objectives have to be stated and justified within the regional development policy framework
since this will largely influence the actual appraisal design and process. The further
utilization of findings including its sharing with prospective beneficiaries is a major point to
be thoroughly deliberated beforehand.
The mode of data gathering and analysis applied can be described by the terms screening,
scoping and focussing:

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 SCREENING - to examine systematically in order to separate into groups; (cf.
Webster's New Encyclopedic Dictionary, New York 1993)

the initial broad assessment of overall conditions of regional development settings based on the
analysis of available secondary data in order to obtain a descriptive image of the region
pertaining to basic components of each setting

Phase one draws on some methods and techniques for descriptive regional analysis, utilizing
existing secondary data and attempting to assemble an initial assessment of the state of
regional development. The major output of this phase is the scanning of overall conditions in
four relevant settings, i.e. social, economic, ecological and institutional by means of some
analytical techniques. (cf. table 2)
SCOPING - something to be sought; (cf. Webster' s New Encyclopedic Dictionary,
New York 1993)

the qualitative assessment of problems and potentials underlying each setting and the emerging
development issues and options in order to define the precise boundaries of required
analysis, i.e. its particular focus and the locations to be analyzed in more detail, procedurally
mobilizing and involving the concerned parties from among the regional community.

The second phase is based on more qualitative methods which aim to involve the community
and its representatives in order to learn about cause-effect relationships that bear on the
current situation. This stage will lead to an improved understanding of the underlying
processes in the region and the various locations where available resources, pursued activities
and established linkages determine the actual process of regional development. The major
output of this phase is the identification of imminent issues that need urgent treatment within
regional development planning and programming. Each issue will be evaluated in regard to
its overall importance, urgency and potentiality to resolve regional problems. During this
phase it is prudent to search for additional information from the field by means of brief
reconnaissance visits, the tapping of key informants, and even local workshops may have to
be conducted.
FOCUSING - to adjust for distinct vision; (cf. Webster' s New Encyclopedic
Dictionary, New York 1993)

the participatory field-based investigation of imminent issues, concentrating on locations,

resources, activities and interlinkages that bear on the most important problems and potentials, in
order to incorporate local knowledge into the formulation of policies and strategies to promote
regional development in line with the needs of local communities.

The third phase will forward the most important issues identified that far to a distinct process
of field research which is based on the PRA methodology. The actual scope of issues
detected during the initial analyses will determine which methods are to be utilized and how
they need to be adjusted in order to match further information needs. For this, a detailed
information gathering and appraisal strategy will have to be formulated by the planning team,
and the crucial variables and sources of information as well as its relevance for the resolution
of issues to be established. Moreover, a set of specific techniques will have to be devised that
explicitly involve local people and attempt to mobilize their local knowledge to supplement
the initial views established during the previous phases.

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The fourth phase deals with the analysis and interpretation of data in more detail and its
eventual utilization for development planning and programming. This includes the
involvement of the communities and institutions in discussing the resulting course of action.
A presentation of findings in region, embedded within the overall procedural framework of
regional planning would conclude the rapid district appraisal process.

Operational Phases and Outputs of RDA

The following operational model of phases underlying the analysis/planning methodology is

based on the principle to gradually refine the scope and, at the same time enhance the focus
of analysis. Accordingly, methods and techniques utilized will proceed from the descriptive
analysis of overall regional settings (phase 1) to the identification and rapid appraisal of key
issues (phase 2) and the field-based participatory appraisal (phase 3) of sampled cases
pertaining to specific resources, activities, locations and linkages which have a bearing on the
regional development process. Eventually, data gathered will be analysed, shared and utilized
for regional policy making, planning and programming. (phase 4).
PHASE 1: DESCRIPTIVE REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The first phase is conceived to establish a firm understanding of descriptive regional

conditions in four settings that make up a region, i.e. economic, ecological, social and
institutional factors. Components of analysis relate to inter-regional as well intra-regional
aspects.
Within this phase there are three steps that will have to be carried out:
1. Review existing data bases

2. Screen regional settings

3. Analyze major components

In terms of data input this initial phase is largely based on the utilization of existing
secondary data that will be screened in line with the individual settings' components.
Selected analytical methods will be applied to the case study area in the classroom. If
necessary, data will be complemented by interviews with selected key respondents in the
field.

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Table 2: Aspects of Descriptive Regional Analysis
SETTING ASPECTS
Economic Settlements & infrastructure
Transport networks
Productive activities
Land use and farming
systems
Ecological Natural resource availability
Natural resource utilization
Natural resource vulnerabilities
Social Population & demography
Education & health
Gender issues
Social services
Institutional Government and non-govern-
mental organizations,
Institutional interaction
patterns
METHODS
Functional analysis
Accessibility analysis
Input-output analysis
Trade/market area analysis
Land use analysis &
mapping
Resource inventory
Baseline systems analysis
Environmental capacity/
sensitivity / risk analysis
Demographic analysis
Educ. achievements
Health incidents
Gender analysis
Service area analysis
Stakeholder analysis
Forcefield analysis
OUTPUTS
Locational evaluation
Regional Accessibility
Macro-economic interlinkages
Inter/intraregional exchange
Land use evaluation
Agro-economic zoning
Natural resource potentials
Resource utilization patterns
Environmental opportunities,
risks and constraints
Demographic conditions,
population mobility
Educational standards/
health conditions
Gender disparities
Availability of services
Composition of regional actors
Traditional authorities,
Community based organizations
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PHASE 2: RAPID APPRAISAL OF KEY ISSUES

The second phase is conceived as the initial scoping of issues prior to the field-based
appraisal, by means of a qualitatively oriented analysis that aims to identify underlying
causes and effects of on-going development processes in the region. This phase forms the
linkpin between the primarily descriptive analysis of overall conditions and the participatory
appraisal of micro-conditions in the region. Inputs by and large stem from two sources, the
first being the broad picture obtained during phase 1 of the rapid district appraisal, the second
relating to the involvement of local communities and their representatives into the steps
mentioned above by organizing small workshops in the region. It is therefore strongly
recommended to conduct this phase in a participatory manner, not only relying on experts'
knowledge but involving community representatives.
There are esentially three steps that will have to be carried out:
1: Establishing a qualitative framework for qualitative rapid appraisal

2: Defining key issues/research topics for appraisal

3: Setting up the field research/appraisal plan

Methods applied concentrate on the analysis of development problems or constraints and

potentials or opportunities and also link the two categories in order to identify matching
prospects.
Making use of rapid appraisal techniques which generate qualitative statements in the form of
locally "grounded" working hypotheses about assumed interlinkages, the scope of the rapid
appraisal is narrowed down to relevant key issues upon which development/action planning
should concentrate.

Table 3: Components of Rapid Appraisal of Key Issues

FACTOR ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS METHODS OUTPUTS

Problems Which actual problems? Problem Impact Diagram Causes and Effects

Potentials Which (untapped) potentials? Potential Matrix Opportunities

Strengths/Weaknesses Which strategic conditions? SWOT Analysis Internal/external,

Opportunities/Threats
positive/negative
Factors

Priorities Which preferences? Priority Matrix Key Issues

PHASE 3: PARTICIPATORY APPRAISAL

The third phase likely is the most fruitful as well as challenging one as it extends the rapid
district appraisal process to the field in order to obtain empirical data on previously identified
development issues/topics deemed relevant for futher appraisal. The field work makes use of
participatory rural appraisal methods and concentrates upon the verification of established
assumptions about interlinkages between regional variables.

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The data gathering has to be thoroughly planned and methods have to be adjusted to the
identified information needs. In this phase the participation of the local communities and its
representatives is crucial for the validity and representativity of data. Local people and
communities shall be actively involved in field work and information shared with them.
Analysis will start in the field and its preliminary results further influence and direct the course
of the appraisal process.
Steps that have to be executed within this phase comprise:
1: Defining and grouping research variables

2: Defining (proxy-)indicators

3: Defining the survey units

4: Defining data collection methods

5: Defining the sample

6: Implementing the PRA

The participatory appraisal phase will focus upon the verification of assumptions pertaining to
the earlier identified key issues. In order to address these issues, the analytical questions to be
answered during the appraisal have to be formulated, expected outputs have to be specified in
line with research variables defined, suitable methods have to be devised, the sample in terms of
places and respondents to be visited be determined and the field work organized and
implemented. Appraisal methods pertain to observation, diagrams, direct and indirect
measurement, and interviewing of individuals, groups and key respondents. (as an example, see
Mikkelsen 1995)
Due to its orientation to micro-aspects which in terms of its detailedness well extend beyond
information obtained so far, it has to be kept in mind that data are valid for particularly
investigated aspects only, however, not necessarily can be generalized for the whole region.
Therefore, careful sampling of cases (i.e. locations and activities) is essential in order to
accomplish an information basis that substantially adds to the more descriptive and quantitative
data obtained during the first phase.
Table 4: Principles of Participatory Rural Appraisal
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is a
- semi-structured,
- locally governed, and
- externally facilitated
learning process
- involving local people/communities and outsiders;
- conducted by a multi-disciplinary team which includes community members.
in order to support and facilitate
- individual and community empowerment through, e.g.
* needs assessments;
* identifying priorities for development activities;
* project feasibility studies;
* evaluating previous development activities.

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based on three pillars:
- behaviour and attitudes
(participation, respect for community members, interest in what local people know, say,
show and do, patience, listening);
- sharing
local people share their knowledge with each other and with outsiders (planners, researchers);
- methods
in order to enable community members to express, share and enhance their knowledge.

PHASE 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND UTILIZATION

The last phase of rapid district appraisal deals with the interpretation of results in order to
provide inputs to the regional policy making and planning process. Information generated by
means of the various methods will be assembled into focused diagrams, area profiles and key
issue reports to be utilized throughout the planning process as inputs for upcoming tasks such
as the planning of specific action programmes and their adaptation to local conditions and
communities.
Within this phase essentially three steps will be carried out:
1: Analyzing the data

2: Presenting the results

3: Determining the further utilization of information

The fact that RDA/PRA is a joint learning process for both planners and the local people
must be reflected by the way data are analyzed, shared and utilized. It therefore must be
emphasized that the results of rapid district appraisal shall be shared with the community by
means of appropriate forms of presentation and discussion.
The data base established through RDA is subject to regular update. Planners will realize that
the methodology can be flexibly adapted to varying aspects and objectives of appraisal and
therefore should be utilized and refined whenever an information need arises.

Analyzing the Data

The analysis of data generated during the RDA process already starts during the field work
and thus provides direction for the execution of the appraisal itself. Further analysis after the
field visit must be in line with the identified research questions and the overall purpose of the
RDA. Due to the complex interlinkages between findings that may either focus on
subregional characteristics or on topical aspects it is recommended to adopt a twofold
perspective (see figure 5):
A topical analysis looks at one particular topic across all subregional units that have been
investigated and aims to analyse data according to the underlying patterns, problems,
quantities and qualities among and between areas in order to come up with an analytical
statement that grasps the whole topic in its entirety as well as its spatial differentiation, such
as environmental conditions, production patterns, marketing conditions or social aspects.
This type of analysis is deemed useful for sectoral planning.

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 An areal analysis looks at the different subareas encompassing all topics that occured
during investigation and aims to provide an analysis of the spatial setting as affected or
determined by the totality of topics under investigation. This type of analysis is useful for
sub-area planning and coordination of different issues into one overall subregional or
regional development strategy.
The combination of both types of analysis - areal profiles and topical profiles - eventually
will provide a most comprehensive assessment of the region's state of development and the
available development opportunities.

Documenting the Results

It is useful to think about documentation of findings early in advance, i.e. what to present to
whom how. Due to the different issues as well as functional levels that have been
investigated during the RDA process, presentation should focus upon several kinds of
profiles and their embeddedness into the overall regional system:
- Area profiles: for the whole region, for sub-regions or ecological and functional
zones.
- Topical profiles: on environment, economy, local institutions, social factors
including gender issues.
- Village profiles: integrated sets of community-based issues
- Household profiles: typologies of farm households, small scale entrepreneurs,
fishermen.
Utilization of Findings for Regional Planning and Policy Making

Since RDA is a methodology that is intended serve the information requirements of regional
planning, the question arises as to how the results of this approach can be effectively put to
use for the purpose of regional planning and the regional planning process as a whole.
In many countries, planning is being operated in a bottom-up fashion that starts on the village
level and extends to the national level after various consultations have been held on sub-
regional, regional and provincial levels. As a top-down input lower levels should receive the
system of development goals and policies within which they would scrutinize their proposals.
Yet, as a matter of fact upper levels are more often than not innocent about local conditions
or do not provide direction to lower levels at all, thus jeopardizing the quality of proposals
from the beginning.
In consequence, lower levels do not feel that their needs and interests have been sufficiently
incorporated into the planning framework, one of the resons being the lack of information on
local conditions that could positively influence the quality of policy making and planning on
upper levels.
This is where RDA can make a significant contribution to and impact on the quality of plans
by generating actual information about local conditions at a time when it is needed for the
conduct of planning. Each administrative level would pursue its own portion of the RDA
process and methodology, eventually integrating the results into an overall regional profile.
The following figure provides an overview on the related levels and processes.

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Starting off at the regional or district level, a descriptive regional analysis can be undertaken
that provides the broad picture on regional conditions such as economic problems and
potentials, ecological risks and hazards, social conditions and aspirations, and institutional
patterns and mechanisms. This analysis will be forwarded to the lower, subregional levels,
together with an inventory of information deficits and requirements, in order to enable them
to come up with their own, more focused appraisal of sub-regional factors by means of some
qualitative techniques, workshops and field visits.
The subregional level, hence, would conduct an analysis for its own level and area that is
guided by inputs on overall regional conditions received from the upper level, and update
them with locally generated data through conducting key interviews, small local workshops
with important key persons and agencies from both the governmental and non-governmental
sector. The analysis will be assembled into a sub-regional profile mentioning the key issues
for the next development planning cycle. This result is then communicated to the lowest
level, the villages, in order to direct their activities and emerging proposals towards the
imminent issues.
The villages, in turn, would conduct a participatory appraisal on its very level, in order to
actualize data and tap local knowledge as embedded in local practice. From these findings,
based on some participatory appraisal and planning tools, a list of preferred proposals for
future village development projects will be derived and submitted to the subregional level for
its coordination with other villages' proposals and integration into a regional framework of
analysis and planning.

6. CONCLUSIONS

Rapid District Appraisal as a methodology to structure and focus regional analysis provides a
number of distinct advantages to improve the overall quality of regional planning if
compared to more conventional, often merely quantitative and aggregated types of analysis.
In terms of coverage it is capable to mobilize and combine various sources of information
and societal bases of knowledge and thus accomplishes a gradual enhancement of analytical
focus. RDA significantly contributes to the improvement of the substance of planning as it
generates broadly based inputs from the field to policy making and programming of regional
development. It further provides firm legitimacy for policy-making based on a sound
knowledge of decision-makers about regional needs. Through the involvement of different
local levels and actors in regional analysis which forms a distinct phase of the administrative
planning process, their role and capacity is strengthened thus improving the ground for future
planning and implementation of development programmes.
RDA eventually facilitates community empowerment through the sharing of knowledge with
local level actors and communties, enabling them to play a stronger role in the regional
planning process. Local communities can utilize the opportunity to contribute their
knowledge and concerns in a participatory manner, thus scaling up from isolated village-
based views to the wider context of regional development.

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REFERENCES
BENDAVID-VAL, Avrom; Regional and Local Economic Analysis for Practitioners,
Praeger, 4th Edition, New York 1991
CHAMBERS; Robert; Shortcut Methods of Gathering Social Information for Rural
Development Projects, in: CERNEA, Michael (ed.), Putting People First. Sociological
Variables in Rural Development; Oxford University Press, New York 1985, p. 399-415
CHAMBERS; Robert; Rural Appraisal: Rapid, Relaxed and Participatory, Institute of
Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, Discussion Paper 311, October 1992
CHAMBERS; Robert; Whose Reality Counts? Putting the first last, Intermediate Technology
Publications, The Bath Press, Bath 1997
FACHBREICH INTERNATIONALE AGRARENTWICKLUNG, Technische Universität
Berlin (ed.); The Use of Rapid Rural Appraisal for Designing A Survey in Nam Lang
(Thailand), Schriftenreihe Nr. 123, Berlin 1989
McCRACKEN, Jennifer et al.; An Introduction to Rapid Rural Appraisal for Agricultural
Development, International Institute for Environment and Development, London 1988
MIKKELSEN, Britha; Methods for Development Work and Research. A Guide for
Practitioners, Sage Publications, New Delhi/Thousand Oaks/London 1995
STOEHR, W. and D.R.F. TAYLOR; Development from Above or Below? The Dialectics of
Regional Planning in Developing Countries, (John Wiley) Chichester 1981
WEAVER 1988

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