ABSTRACT
Urbanisation has emerged as one of the most prominent dimensions of development globally. Estimates suggest that the twentieth century has witnessed a rapid and dramatic increase in the proportion of the global urban population, who are expected to make up two-thirds of the world’s population by 2050. This process of urbanisation has presented cities in developing countries with a challenging situation in terms of providing infrastructure facilities that affect quality of life. Sanitation is one facility that needs to be addressed urgently. All UN member states have committed to enabling complete access to basic toilets by 2030. Several cities face serious problems in providing this, however. While some Indian cities have successfully demonstrated sustainable toilets, these are miniscule efforts given the magnitude of the problem. In this paper, we look at Bengaluru’s challenges in providing sanitation infrastructure for its urban poor in 597 slums with a population of 13.8 lakh people as well as case studies. We also discuss China’s urbanisation and its success in not having rampant slums and how they have been able to promote public toilets of international standards. We draw comparisons between these two countries’ responses to providing toilet access and challenges therein.
