Planning Water and Sanitation Infrastructure in Developing Countries

Access to clean water and safe sanitation is a fundamental human right, yet planning these systems in developing regions presents unique economic, environmental, and social challenges. This course provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and designing sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure where resources are limited. You will gain the foundational knowledge needed to assess community needs, evaluate technical solutions, and implement resilient infrastructure projects that align with modern sustainability standards and local capacities. What you'll learn: - Understand the core principles of water supply, treatment, and distribution systems in resource-constrained settings. - Evaluate diverse sanitation technologies, from centralized networks to decentralized and nature-based solutions. - Analyze the socio-economic and financial aspects of planning, including community participation and tariff structures. - Integrate climate resilience and water security principles into infrastructure design to withstand environmental changes. - Apply structured frameworks to assess public health risks and environmental impacts of sanitation choices. We begin with the essential terminology and historical context of global water challenges before moving into practical planning frameworks, technical options, and real-world implementation strategies. This course is designed for aspiring urban planners, development practitioners, public health professionals, and beginners interested in global development, with no prior engineering experience required. Start reading today to build the skills needed to plan life-changing infrastructure projects.