There are two sides to the project: the prevention side and the side of fixing the side effects. The prevention side includes working with the current companies and government of Almaty, which can be long and extensive. For this reason, we’re choosing to go on the route of cleaning the air as it is. Through our design process, we need to further research the technology behind filter technology. Specifically, after identifying the main pollutants in the air, we will need to conduct further tests on what is the best way to capture them and help clear the air. Possible technology includes a few brands that have created nasal screens that help prevent allergens, pollutants, from entering your lungs. The design is simple, yet sold costly of around $11 per package which includes 7 pairs. Our creation would be to expand on this technology and try to make them reusable since the ones Avalon the market are one time uses for 24 hours. They are expensive and not an accessible product for a population such as Kazakhstan. Through our design process we would need to find effective ways to bring down the cost, yet keep the functionality. To create a product like this we would have to first get our hands on it, and research and test its capabilities. We would need to bring this issue to our engineer peers and professors who can give us feedback and help us. We would need funding to acquire the tools necessary to test the product.
Most important stakeholders
The citizens of Almaty
All social classes could be positively impacted
The effects of air pollution are not limited to one type of class.
67.98% are Kazakhs, while the remaining are Russian
Islamic- 70%, Christian- 30%
55 percent female, 45% male
They value their city- mountains, environment, culture
The state government
Wealthy→ Top of the social class
As the government, there is an interest in bettering the health of the residents.
They have the legal power
One of the issues that are causing such poor air quality is the loose regulations.
The government needs to reinforce more
The interest in making money
Stimulating the economy of Kazakhstan. ( This depends on the direction we go with our plan/ project
Connections
The legal power allows them to be connected to other people in power.
Intelligence through experience
The NGOs or nonprofit
Not just focused on the economy
More concerned about the impact on the common people of Almaty
Funding→ Can help with making sure that the money needed to successfully implement a plan is provided.
Possible connections
Like one of the SGDs has listed, the collaboration and connections are crucial.
Power
Can pressure the government to make sure there is change and that the air quality issues are being addressed
Influence
From personal experience, I noticed that communities tend to “trust” NGOs a lot more than organizations and individuals directly connected with the government.
Validate Project Concept, Technology, Usability, and Business Model
The reactions of the people in Almaty about our idea
Making sure our idea aligns with their values and culture
Having the people accept the issue we are trying to fix and understanding that we want to help
Wanting the people to be accepting of our ideas
If the technology/concept produce effective results in preventing air quality health issues
We need to run tests and to ensure that if we create a product that it does what we need it to.
If we go with our nose strips idea, making sure that they are filtering out the correct pollutants
If we create public service announcements making sure they are effective and reach the people that need to see them
Usability
Making sure it is easy for everyone that needs to be using it to use so that the product works correctly or if we have public service announcements; making sure that they are clear and easy to understand and noticeable
Assuring that the technology used is durable and long-lasting. If it is announcements we must assure they will be up and sustain weather.
Instructions must be clear
After visiting Mexico for the first time I finally got to meet my extended family . After the long journey I needed to use the bathroom. My friend/relative had to show me where the bathroom was at my grandparents house. I thought they were walking me to another part of the house but instead we traveled outside. We continued walking towards the back of the house and arrived at a small shack in the middle of the open. They moved the curtain and there was a wooden outhouse bathroom. This was a completely different concept than back home. The next new thing I learned from a friend is that having the best degree doesn’t always mean financial success. Another friend from Mexico showed my family that he had his doctorate degree and post doctorate’s degree. Although he had reached high levels of education his salary did not follow. His family lived paycheck to paycheck. In America we associate education with higher level of knowledge and wealth but in other countries this doesn’t always happen. Finally, the last thing I learned from another friend while in Mexico is that there are multiple languages the locals use. I had a prior belief that everyone in my town speaked the same language. That’s why It seemed like an alien concept when people started speaking the native language tarasco.