Development of community-based sanitation infrastructure in Hasanpura, Faisalabad

Abstract
Sanitation facilities in impoverished communities in developing countries are often very inadequate and contribute to the poor health of the community. Most households living in such communities lack the financial means to improve their own sanitation facilities. At the same time, municipal authorities are often reluctant to improve sanitation facilities in impoverished communities. This results in the decay of urban environments and deteriorates the health of individuals. As urbanisation continues unabated in developing countries such as Pakistan, the pressure falls on authorities to provide sanitation facilities commensurate with the increase in population.

The success of community-based sanitation development in the Orangi Pilot Project, Karachi, motivated the sanitation development in Hasanpura, Faisalabad. Following the lead of a local NGO, residents of Hasanpura developed their own water supply and sanitation schemes by adopting a component sharing approach. The community paid for the infrastructure development within the community boundaries and the local authorities paid to link the community's infrastructure with the municipal infrastructure.

The process was a great success and its impact extremely positive. The experience allows for replication elsewhere, so long as the identified constraints (especially that of overcoming distrust in local government) are overcome.

Cite as: Haider, I. (2008). Development of community-based sanitation infrastructure in Hasanpura, Faisalabad. In: Beyond construction : use by all : a collection of case studies from sanitation and hygiene promotion practitioners in South Asia. London, UK, WaterAid and Delft, The Netherlands, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre. Available at: http://www.irc.nl/page/40450

ch-3.pdf (77.4 kB)