Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Planning in Developing Countries

Access to clean water and safe sanitation is one of the most critical challenges facing rapidly growing cities in developing countries today. Planning these systems requires a deep understanding of engineering constraints, economic realities, and community-driven needs. This course provides a comprehensive framework to analyze, design, and manage sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure under complex urban conditions. You will transition from understanding basic public health engineering principles to evaluating real-world institutional frameworks and financial strategies. Through structured readings and written analysis, you will learn how to make informed planning decisions that balance technical feasibility with social equity. What you'll learn: - Understand the core technical, social, and economic principles of water supply and sanitation systems. - Analyze institutional frameworks, governance models, and policy instruments in developing nations. - Evaluate modern planning approaches, including decentralized systems and community-led sanitation. - Apply financial planning models, cost-recovery strategies, and subsidy structures for infrastructure projects. - Integrate climate resilience and modern water resource management principles into municipal planning. - Formulate sustainable project proposals that address rapid urbanization and low-income community needs. This course begins with foundational concepts in public health engineering, water scarcity, and historical planning models. You will then progress through technical options, financing mechanisms, and institutional governance structures, finishing with modern frameworks for climate-resilient urban planning. This course is designed for beginners, aspiring urban planners, development practitioners, and civil engineering students looking for a comprehensive introduction to international development infrastructure. No prior engineering or municipal planning experience is required. Start building the skills needed to design resilient and equitable urban water systems today.