Thesis-2000-Saywell.pdf (44.3 MB)
User based perceptions of on-plot sanitation systems in low income urban communities in Africa and Asia
thesis
posted on 2010-11-25, 14:59 authored by Darren SaywellRates of population growth in developing country cities are straining the capacity of
sanitation service providers. In spite of widespread sector recognition of the need to adopt
low-cost, people centred approaches, 80 per cent of investments in the water and
sanitation sector continue to be allocated to high cost technologies for urban elites.
Household level, on-plot sanitation systems potentially offer a solution to the sanitary
needs of the urban poor. Nevertheless, commonly held assumptions amongst sector
professionals that lower cost, on-plot systems are inappropriate and unacceptable in
urban communities impede-their wider application. There is little empirical evidence to
justify this position. The scope of this work examines the technical appropriateness and
user acceptability of on-plot sanitation options. The thesis contributes to an improved
understanding of the context in which on-plot systems operate, what factors constrain
their application, and what issues need consideration when deciding on sanitary options
in low-income communities. The research adopted a mix of methodological techniques to
improve the reliability and validity of findings, with both quantitative and qualitative
methods applied during fieldwork. Findings from Ghana, Mozambique and India are
included in the thesis in order to permit sampling of key latrine types used internationally.
The thesis concludes that user based perceptions of the performance and acceptability of
on-plot systems varies markedly to those of sector professionals, particularly in relation to
plot size, satisfaction levels and reasons for absence of household latrine. Furthermore,
user based criteria of performance are developed for consideration practitioners when
narrowing decision making on sanitary options. The implications of the study highlight the
need for integration of user concerns into strategic planning for sanitation, more effective
stimulation and negotiation of demand for sanitation systems and challenges for agencies
in adopting a user oriented approach. The recommendations from the thesis include
practitioner focused policy changes that affect project planning and support systems for
user education. Potential areas of further research interest include ranking user
perceptions, an holistic understanding of excreta management processes and institutional
constraints affecting user-service provider consultations.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Publisher
© Darren SaywellPublication date
2000Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.343653Language
- en