Giving Compass' Take:

• This post and video on India Development Review discusses the need to address the management of human waste and build long-term sanitation solutions in India, one of the world's fastest growing urban populations. 

• What is the best ways to reduce over-crowding and low resources in Indian cities? How does sanitation relate to sustainability? 

• Here's more on building better solutions to water and sanitation. 

Around the world, one in two people live in an urban area. And, between now and 2050, three countries—India, China, and Nigeria—are expected to account for 35 percent of the growth in the world’s urban population, with India adding the most to this, a projected 416 million urban dwellers.

These are important trends because urbanisation, especially in the context of India, is leading to the growth of new, smaller, cities. These can bring in their wake more opportunities for higher incomes, better living conditions, and possibly lower carbon footprints. It is entirely possible that in the coming years, urban populations will overtake those living in rural areas, including in developing countries. However, urban areas, because of their dense residential designs are very dependent on public infrastructure to function well, including, in particular, the mechanisms for the management of human faecal waste. A great deal remains to be done on this front in most parts of the developing world and India.

Many Indian cities today suffer from over-crowding and low resources. In urban areas, infrastructure is not able to keep up with the rapid growth in population, and the influx of migrants. This is especially true in low-income settlements, where growth is often unplanned.

Read the full article about sanitation solutions in India by Madhu Krishna at India Development Review.