Integrated approaches to promoting sanitation: A case study of Faridpur, Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper summarises the experience of Practical Action in promoting water, sanitation, waste and hygiene-related infrastructure and services in the town of Faridpur, Bangladesh. In addition to the improvement in health and local environment, the project attempted to increase income and employment through the provision and operation of services. Practical Action and its partners have organized community groups and developed participatory slum improvement plans. This then leads to the prioritisation of immediate needs and agreeing roles and responsibilities in the delivery. To address other needs identified in the plans, slum dwellers were encouraged to develop partnerships with the municipality and other service providers. The involvement of people and their empowerment has lead to better use and maintenance of water and sanitation-related infrastructure and services. Community members, once organized have also negotiated better deals with the municipality. However, income and employment from the services, appears to be a more complicated issue in practice as compared to what was planned in the project. This is because of social structures in the slum areas and community expectations. Overall, the Faridpur model appears as a potential model to improve access to services in urban slums of Asia to achieve health, environment and well-being outcomes.