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TOWARDS TOTAL SANITATION IN URBAN AREAS.
Summary
Much has been done in providing sanitation services and facilities by numerous key stakeholders like Governments, Donors, NGOs and even community based organizations. However, the realization that we are still a long way from experiencing total sanitation especially in urban areas despite the numerous interventions supported by government institutional and legal frameworks was stark!
Full text
Towards Total Sanitation in Urban Areas
As we globally move towards meeting MDG 7 especially keen on housing, water and sanitation issues. The question of whether we shall actually meet these set targets remains, more so in developing countries. While carrying out research for my thesis on urban sanitation, the thought that we may not meet goal 7 within the set time frame was not a welcome thought. The issue of urban sanitation still poses a great concern as developing countries continue to move towards industrialization and urbanization. People from rural areas continue to flock urban areas in a bid to enjoy the opportunities and services in urban areas. However, high standards of living in urban areas have caused many to opt for low cost housing facilities that are poorly planned and almost in habitable for human beings, this had lead to the emergence of slums that continue to grow over time. This population influx places a lot of pressure on available facilities housing and sanitation facilities not exempt. Poorly disposed rubbish and fecal matter, spewing sewerage and clogged drainage channels are not uncommon sights in both urban and peri urban areas of many developing countries world over; Kampala (Uganda) is not an exception. Much has been done in providing sanitation services and facilities by numerous key stakeholders like Governments, Donors, NGOs and even community based organizations. However, the realization that we are still a long way from experiencing total sanitation especially in urban areas despite the numerous interventions supported by government institutional and legal frameworks was stark!
I was drawn to the conclusion that; the issue should shift from provision and accessibility of sanitation services and facilities to sustainability of sanitation facilities and services. During the course of carrying out my research, it was evident that numerous stake holders had indeed made efforts in ensuring that sanitation facilities like toilets, communal bath shelters and drainage canals were available for the urban poor. It was also interesting to note that education on issues of sanitation and hygiene was rife amongst the communities and many were actual aware of positive and negative sanitation habits. However, this acquired knowledge did not necessarily bring about behavioral change amongst individuals, households and communities. The acquired knowledge did not necessarily translate into positive change and better sanitation habits. There still remains a need to explore what other alternative approaches should be employed to ensure that we are making progress towards meeting goal 7.Although stakeholders in the water sanitation field should continue to ensure that the provision and accessibility of sanitation facilities is not only a privilege for a few, more focus should be drawn to the long term availability of these facilities. Much thought and focus should be drawn to issues of posterity and sustainability; what approaches can be used to ensure that services and facilities are not misused, under utilized and above all that these facilities can be used by future generations. Although the community participation approach has been lauded as one of the best and most appropriate approaches in ensuring sustainability; it has its challenges especially in urban areas were issues of permanent residency, land ownership and the search for socio-economic fulfillment are rife. It is imperative that different approaches are explored by respective governments and stake holders as we move towards achieving MDG 7. 2015 that seemed to be in the distant future is only 4 years away; we need to step up efforts to ensure that what was started in 2000 can proudly be showed off in 2015.