1.11 Spotlight video - A Sanitation Journey

Summary

This video explores the evolution of urban sanitation over the last 50 years, highlighting how visionary professionals in the 1970s began advocating for sustainable alternatives to conventional sewer systems. Despite advancements, millions still lack access to improved sanitation. The publication examines key regions like Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, discussing the challenges of scaling solutions and emerging approaches that link sanitation with other sectors. It offers insights into past lessons, current trends, and future possibilities for achieving SDG target 6.2: adequate and equitable sanitation for all.

Takeaways

• 💧 The Bellagio Principles for Sustainable Sanitation aim to address global sanitation challenges.
• 📅 Professionals have been researching alternative sanitation solutions since the 1970s.
• 🚽 In 2021, over 500 million urban dwellers in low and middle-income countries still lack access to improved sanitation facilities.
• 🌍 Nearly 2 billion people rely on unsafely managed sanitation services globally.
• 🏙️ Despite significant progress in sanitation access over the last 50 years, rapid urban growth has outpaced improvements.
• 🔧 Visionary professionals in the 1970s and 1980s advocated for alternatives to conventional sewer systems, promoting interdisciplinary approaches.
• 🔄 Approaches that mix technologies and involve disciplines like sociology and economics have been proposed but underutilized.
• 🎯 The goal of SDG target 6.2 is to ensure adequate and equitable sanitation for all, but much work remains to achieve it.
• 📚 The publication examines the evolution of international discourse on urban sanitation over the past 50 years, with insights from South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• 🔍 The publication explores current trends, emerging developments, and challenges in scaling up urban sanitation solutions.

Q & A

What are the Bellagio Principles for Sustainable Sanitation?

The Bellagio Principles for Sustainable Sanitation are guidelines aimed at promoting sustainable and equitable sanitation solutions that are environmentally sound and socially inclusive.

When did professionals start researching alternatives to traditional sanitation systems in the Global South?

Research into alternatives for addressing sanitation challenges in the Global South started as early as the 1970s.

How many urban dwellers still lacked access to improved sanitation services in 2021?

In 2021, over 500 million urban dwellers in low and middle-income countries still lacked access to improved sanitation facilities.

What is the estimated number of people using unsafely managed sanitation services globally?

Nearly 2 billion people worldwide use sanitation services that are not safely managed.

Despite progress in urban sanitation over the past 50 years, why has the situation not improved as expected?

Although there has been significant progress in urban sanitation, rapid urban growth has outpaced improvements in sanitation infrastructure, preventing sustainable access for all.

Why were professionals in the 1970s and 1980s advocating for alternatives to conventional sewer systems?

Visionary professionals in the 1970s and 1980s argued for an alternative approach to conventional sewer systems, which included a mix of technologies and collaboration with other disciplines like sociology and economics, to ensure more comprehensive solutions.

What is the goal of SDG target 6.2, and why is it important?

SDG target 6.2 aims to provide adequate and equitable sanitation for all. It is essential because proper sanitation is critical for health, dignity, and the prevention of waterborne diseases.

What regions are highlighted in the publication for their lack of urban sanitation provision?

The publication highlights South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa as regions with some of the most significant urban sanitation challenges.

What are the main challenges preventing the large-scale adoption of sanitation solutions in these regions?

Challenges preventing large-scale adoption of sanitation solutions include a lack of political will, inadequate infrastructure investment, rapid urbanization, and the slow uptake of proven approaches.

What emerging approaches show promise in advancing urban sanitation solutions?

Emerging approaches that link sanitation with other sectors, such as water management and public health, show great potential to provide more comprehensive solutions to urban sanitation challenges.