Accessible

Accessible

Access to fuel in Monwabisi Park is a large concern because there are limited resources and funding.  There is only one main road in the settlement, making it difficult to disperse products throughout the community.  Convenience with respect to accessibility is a deciding factor in whether or not certain solutions will be viable. This was specifically the case when the City of Cape Town attempted to implement LPG as a source of heating in an informal settlement. The gas initiative provided gas stoves, as well as containers and vouchers for free fuel – but this effort was ultimately unsuccessful because the fuel was not as accessible as paraffin in the settlement (Jacobs, 2009). This case exemplifies the problem of accessibility when attempting to implement a new source of heating or cooking. Additionally, some residents are often reluctant to change because they feel comfortable using paraffin, especially since most have used it throughout their lives (Kehrer, 2009).  There is much to consider when determining the accessibility of a product: direct access to the product, ease of transportation, and how easily it can be implemented into a home. By accommodating the residents and allowing them to exert the least amount of effort when implementing a new alternative, the likelihood of success increases.  Thus we looked to make our suggestions accessible to the residents through stores in the community.