Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Planning in Developing Countries

Access to clean water and safe sanitation is one of the most critical challenges of our time, directly impacting public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This text-only course provides a comprehensive introduction to planning and managing water and sanitation infrastructure in developing countries, where resources are limited and urban populations are growing rapidly. You will transition from understanding core public health concepts to evaluating complex engineering, financial, and institutional frameworks required for real-world impact. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational links between water quality, sanitation technologies, and public health outcomes. - Evaluate decentralized and centralized water supply and wastewater treatment systems for diverse community scales. - Apply financial models and cost-recovery strategies suitable for low-income and informal settlements. - Analyze the role of community participation, institutional governance, and local policy in project sustainability. - Integrate climate resilience and water-scarcity adaptation strategies into infrastructure planning. This course begins with essential terminology, historical context, and basic scientific principles of water transmission and hygiene. You will then progress through structured text modules covering technical design choices, economic viability, and governance models, supported by realistic case studies from developing regions. Designed for beginners, this course requires no prior background in engineering or urban planning. Start building the foundational knowledge needed to design resilient, equitable, and sustainable water systems today.