Urban Water and Sanitation: The Bangalore Utility Model for Informal Settlements

Providing clean water and safe sanitation to informal urban settlements is one of the most pressing challenges for developing cities. This text-based course examines the practical framework used by municipal utilities, focusing on the real-world strategies developed in Bangalore to expand vital infrastructure to underserved slum communities. You will explore how to balance technical constraints, community engagement, and financial sustainability to deliver life-changing utility services. Through structured readings and case analyses, you will transition from understanding basic urban planning theory to analyzing actual utility deployment strategies. You will learn to evaluate the socio-economic and political factors that influence infrastructure decisions in complex municipal environments. What you'll learn: - Understand the core terminology, legal frameworks, and policy challenges of urban utility management in informal settlements - Analyze the technical and geographical constraints of laying water and sewer networks in high-density, unplanned areas - Evaluate financial models, tariff structures, and pro-poor policies that ensure long-term service viability - Apply community-based co-management strategies to improve billing compliance and reduce non-revenue water losses - Design integrated sanitation solutions that address public health, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience This course begins with foundational concepts in urban planning and public health before diving into the operational, financial, and political realities of utility management. You will study how policy translates into physical pipes, community trust, and sustainable municipal operations. This course is designed for beginners, aspiring urban planners, development practitioners, and public policy students. No prior engineering or municipal management experience is required to begin.