Urban Schools

Dense Urban Setting

The dense urban context in this case refers to schools located within slum settings of urban areas. Urban slums compared to other contexts generally present very unique conditions, which make it difficult to provide sanitation facilities.

These conditions include inter alia:

• dense population and consequent lack of space, which limits potential infrastructure development and general site accessibility;
• high groundwater table that limits excavation works;
• financial constraints by communities, which affects the purchasing power;
• lack of land ownership that discourages sanitation investment; and
• lack of sewer connection, which compounds the sanitation challenges.

Lack of safe and adequate water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and services in slums negatively impacts school sanitation in the same manner as household sanitation. This exposes the learners to high risks of public health hazards.