The Ecotaxi In Asia, around four million “ecotaxis” are currently in operation. Otherwise known as rickshaws, these muscle-driven vehicles are an important and environmentally-friendly means of transport. They can be found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, China, Vietnam and several other countries in South-, East-, and South-East Asia. Yet, in many of these nations, rickshaws are finding it increasingly hard to survive - indeed, in some cities, plans are already afoot to ban them. Curiously enough, the opposite tendency is observable in several German and European cities. In Berlin, Munich, Giessen, Frankfurt, Regensburg, Prague and Amsterdam, the rickshaw – that most Asian of all vehicles – is an increasingly familiar sight in inner-city traffic. These developments inspired us to organise an exhibition that would promote public understanding of the “rickshaw phenomenon”. For many years now, we have taken an intense interest in the countries of Asia. The rickshaw provides one way of grasping various facets of everyday life in the region, and the exhibition aims to show some of the vehicle’s social, cultural and historical dimensions. The “Ecotaxi” exhibition demonstrates the important role played by the rickshaw in many Asian nations. It documents the vehicle’s technical development from the early sedan form via the “jin-” and cycle variants to the contemporary motorised versions (which even include “robot rickshaws”). In addition, the exhibition shows the various forms of rickshaw predominating in the respective Asian countries. We also look at the social aspects of rickshaw driving, including the drivers’ origins, their ways of life and standards of living, and their dependence on the rickshaw owners. Practical Hints "Rikscha - Rikscha" is an exhibition of photographs digitally projected onto 14 large banners (240 x 130 cm). The exhibits are: original cycle rickshaws from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Burma, Vietnam and Malaysia; a hand-drawn Calcutta rickshaw; and a “hi-tech” rickshaw provided by the company “Velo-Taxi” from Berlin. The exhibition covers an area of approximately 100 m². For a fee, the exhibition may be taken out on loan (minimum duration: three weeks). Enquiries are welcomed by the contact persons listed under “Contact”. From the same contact addresses, anyone interested in hosting the exhibition may request an Info CD, which shows the exhibition banner and contains further information. (Price: 10 Euros, plus postage and packaging.) We also offer the following optional extras during the exhibition: Guided tours, (e.g. for school classes); Slide shows (e.g. on rickshaw drivers and social/transport policies in Asia)) and Discussion forums. The exhibition has been produced in cooperation with Asia House and Misereor. The Authors: Walter Keller born in 1951; free lance journalist working on topics concerning Asia. He was resident in Southasia for more than 7 years. From 1985 to 2000 he was General Secretary of South Asia Bureau, Germany and editor of South-Asia, a magazine on current South-Asian Affairs. He is also free-lancing with the German Foundation for International Development Dr. Thomas Hoffmann, born in 1961; trains high school teachers in Geography at State Institute for Didactics and Teachers´ Training in Karlsruhe, teaches geography, history and political sciences at a German Highschool and at the Institute for Geography and Geoecology at the University of Karlsruhe. Beside this he is co-editor of the geographical magazine "geographie heute". His main topics are Asia, economic and social geography and world water problems. Please send enquiries regarding the exhibiton to: AsianImages Walter Keller Grosse Heimstr. 58 D - 44137 Dortmund Tel. (0049) 0231-136633 mobile: 0175-2406133 email: suedasienbuero@t-online.de