A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge: Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements (2024)

van Welie, M. J. (2020). A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge: Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements. In A. A. Adenle, M. R. Chertow, E. H. M. Moors, & D. J. Pannell (Eds.), Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from Agriculture, Health, Environment and Energy (pp. 325-343). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190949501.003.0016

van Welie, M.J. ; Truffer, B. / A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge : Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements. Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from Agriculture, Health, Environment and Energy. editor / A.A. Adenle ; M.R. Chertow ; E.H.M. Moors ; D.J. Pannell. Oxford University Press, 2020. pp. 325-343

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title = "A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge: Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements",

abstract = "The sanitation target of the millennium development goals (MDGs) was not reached and progress toward the sustainable development goal on water and sanitation (SDG6) is very slow. The lack of sanitation is especially persistent in cities in the Global South, as the world is rapidly urbanizing. This problem demands long-term fundamental transformations of urban sanitation services and infrastructures. This chapter analyzes the challenges and opportunities of innovations that have the potential to contribute to solving urban sanitation problems. The authors therefore use a sociotechnical systems perspective that draws on insights from innovation studies and the sustainability transitions literature. Such a systemic perspective enables the analysis of the interplay between technologies, infrastructures and their associated actor networks, and institutions and user and provider practices. The chapter presents the analysis of the case of sanitation in Nairobi, Kenya, building on qualitative data from 104 expert interviews. Based on the analysis, the authors show that innovative efforts should focus on improving alignments between the various sanitation service regimes in the city—for example, through making utility services work in informal settlements or improving collaborations in the efforts to scale on-site sanitation innovations. The chapter illustrates how factors hindering innovation development toward reaching SDG6 often go beyond technological aspects, but rather represent system weaknesses related to actors, networks, and institutional aspects.",

keywords = "global sanitation, informal settlements, Nairobi, Kenya, sociotechnical systems, system weaknesses, service regimes, urban sanitation, sanitation innovations",

author = "{van Welie}, M.J. and B. Truffer",

year = "2020",

doi = "10.1093/oso/9780190949501.003.0016",

language = "English",

isbn = "9780190949501",

pages = "325--343",

editor = "A.A. Adenle and M.R. Chertow and E.H.M. Moors and Pannell, {D.J. }",

booktitle = "Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals",

publisher = "Oxford University Press",

}

van Welie, MJ 2020, A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge: Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements. in AA Adenle, MR Chertow, EHM Moors & DJ Pannell (eds), Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from Agriculture, Health, Environment and Energy. Oxford University Press, pp. 325-343. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190949501.003.0016

A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge: Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements. / van Welie, M.J.; Truffer, B.
Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from Agriculture, Health, Environment and Energy. ed. / A.A. Adenle; M.R. Chertow; E.H.M. Moors; D.J. Pannell. Oxford University Press, 2020. p. 325-343.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge

T2 - Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements

AU - van Welie, M.J.

AU - Truffer, B.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - The sanitation target of the millennium development goals (MDGs) was not reached and progress toward the sustainable development goal on water and sanitation (SDG6) is very slow. The lack of sanitation is especially persistent in cities in the Global South, as the world is rapidly urbanizing. This problem demands long-term fundamental transformations of urban sanitation services and infrastructures. This chapter analyzes the challenges and opportunities of innovations that have the potential to contribute to solving urban sanitation problems. The authors therefore use a sociotechnical systems perspective that draws on insights from innovation studies and the sustainability transitions literature. Such a systemic perspective enables the analysis of the interplay between technologies, infrastructures and their associated actor networks, and institutions and user and provider practices. The chapter presents the analysis of the case of sanitation in Nairobi, Kenya, building on qualitative data from 104 expert interviews. Based on the analysis, the authors show that innovative efforts should focus on improving alignments between the various sanitation service regimes in the city—for example, through making utility services work in informal settlements or improving collaborations in the efforts to scale on-site sanitation innovations. The chapter illustrates how factors hindering innovation development toward reaching SDG6 often go beyond technological aspects, but rather represent system weaknesses related to actors, networks, and institutional aspects.

AB - The sanitation target of the millennium development goals (MDGs) was not reached and progress toward the sustainable development goal on water and sanitation (SDG6) is very slow. The lack of sanitation is especially persistent in cities in the Global South, as the world is rapidly urbanizing. This problem demands long-term fundamental transformations of urban sanitation services and infrastructures. This chapter analyzes the challenges and opportunities of innovations that have the potential to contribute to solving urban sanitation problems. The authors therefore use a sociotechnical systems perspective that draws on insights from innovation studies and the sustainability transitions literature. Such a systemic perspective enables the analysis of the interplay between technologies, infrastructures and their associated actor networks, and institutions and user and provider practices. The chapter presents the analysis of the case of sanitation in Nairobi, Kenya, building on qualitative data from 104 expert interviews. Based on the analysis, the authors show that innovative efforts should focus on improving alignments between the various sanitation service regimes in the city—for example, through making utility services work in informal settlements or improving collaborations in the efforts to scale on-site sanitation innovations. The chapter illustrates how factors hindering innovation development toward reaching SDG6 often go beyond technological aspects, but rather represent system weaknesses related to actors, networks, and institutional aspects.

KW - global sanitation

KW - informal settlements

KW - Nairobi

KW - Kenya

KW - sociotechnical systems

KW - system weaknesses

KW - service regimes

KW - urban sanitation

KW - sanitation innovations

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DO - 10.1093/oso/9780190949501.003.0016

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9780190949501

SN - 9780190949518

SP - 325

EP - 343

BT - Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals

A2 - Adenle, A.A.

A2 - Chertow, M.R.

A2 - Moors, E.H.M.

A2 - Pannell, D.J.

PB - Oxford University Press

ER -

van Welie MJ, Truffer B. A Systemic Perspective on the Global Sanitation Challenge: Insights from Sociotechnical Dynamics in Nairobi's Informal Settlements. In Adenle AA, Chertow MR, Moors EHM, Pannell DJ, editors, Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from Agriculture, Health, Environment and Energy. Oxford University Press. 2020. p. 325-343 doi: 10.1093/oso/9780190949501.003.0016