The context-conundrum: why existing planning methodologies fail in the integration of water, sanitation and solid waste management services in small towns

Abstract

This study evaluated planning methodologies for integrating water supply, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and solid waste management (SWM) services in small towns, using Uganda as a case study. A systematic review of documents identified 25 planning methodologies, revealing a fragmented toolbox. Most of the methodologies were designed for single sectors and lacked integration across WASH and SWM. The unbalanced distribution of these methodologies across the planning cycle, with an abundancy of diagnostic methodologies and a scarcity of implementation support, creates a gap. Key informant interviews (n = 64) with stakeholders in Uganda highlighted the context of methodology effectiveness, with technical capacity, financial constraints, governance structures, methodology design, and community engagement. Practitioners in Uganda have applied Town Sanitation Planning Guidelines developed by the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) for urban integrated plans. The Community-Led Urban Environmental Sanitation (CLUES) approach developed by Eawag/UN-Habitat has been used for participatory planning in urban areas. Decision-support methodologies such as WASHCost and Life-Cycle Costing (LCC) for WASH by IRC have supported cost analysis. None of the methodologies has been successfully deployed across WASH and SWM sectors. To enhance the sustainability of water, sanitation, and SWM services in small towns, local actors must be empowered with practically contextualised methodologies, capacity, and data for informed decision-making. This study contributes to discussions on appropriate support methodologies for planning water and waste services in SSA, emphasizing the context and capacity strengthening.