Project Description
Funded by the Australian Government’s Water for Women Fund, the research was undertaken from January to December 2022. This study aimed to provide regionally appropriate evidence about what kinds of processes and systems could be explored within different urban contexts in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The mixed methods research included literature reviews, household surveys, interviews, photovoice, and stakeholder engagement to understand existing WASH services and preferences, urban planning approaches and the existing political economy of the provision of WASH in the urban environment.
Several critical gaps in planning systems and the political economy for climate-resilient WASH in urban informal settlements emerged from this current research, and the investigation will continue with the support of the Water for Women fund through 2023-24. Our expanded regional research project is intended to strengthen systems for climate-resilient WASH services in UIS by exploring decision and planning support systems (PSS), advocacy methods, and ways of engaging with settlement residents to progress collaborative planning, specifically by: research and development on PSS (tools and activities) for integrated & collaborative planning for remaining gaps; including citizen science to assist with localized climate science; leveraging strengths of existing decision and PSS via cross-country regional learning and sharing; and, research to influence political and societal support for improved services to informal settlements.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
This research is intended to be closely partnered with stakeholders from national and town planning departments, WASH departments and water utilities, as well as learning from the experiences of settlement residents. In that sense, the project aims to benefit government technicians and high-level decision-makers, community representatives and settlement residents.
Outcomes to Date
Key findings include:
1. WASH access in settlements in not routinely considered as service delivery models, which would allow for better identification of risk form climate hazards and opportunities to adapt or mitigate those risks., beyond just strengthening core infrastructure.
2. There is some progress being made in Melanesian settlements with respect to formalisation and upgrading, notwithstanding WASH services remain very unevenly distributed.
3. There are opportunities and examples where WASH service delivery, planning and climate change considerations can be more integrated – through taskforces, sharing of tools and processes, and advocacy.
4. WASH utilities tend to have preferred a single WASH service type across an urban service area, rather than considering services of best-fit.
5. More climate hazard data at appropriate scales are required to support climate resilient WASH service planning and delivery.
Project Significance
Past research, including by IWC, has indicated that access to WASH services in urban and peri-urban informal settlements across Melanesia is broadly inadequate. In addition, there is little evidence to suggest that WASH services that do exist for urban and peri-urban informal settlements are future-proof – they are not planned with resilience to shocks and change in mind, such as climate change or the needs of changing populations within water catchments.
Limited research has been conducted in informal settlements in Melanesia, with regards to WASH access in particular. Considering that often, Melanesian cities are disproportionately populated by residents in settlements due to a range of factors that generally includes a lack of affordable and accessible housing stock, the issue is a present and growing one. SDG6, clean water and sanitation for all, can not be achieved without the “for all” element – and residents in informal settlements in Melanesia are being left behind when it comes to representation, infrastructure and services.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The project directly contributes by enhancing WASH services in urban informal settlements, exploring development effectiveness in action when planning for service delivery and access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and promoting good hygiene practices.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By focusing on climate-resilient WASH services and urban planning, the project works towards creating more inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban settlements.
SDG 13: Climate Action: The project’s emphasis on localized climate science and resilience-building aligns with efforts to combat climate change and its impacts on vulnerable communities.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project’s collaborative approach, engaging settlement residents, leaders, and organizations, contributes to fostering partnerships necessary for achieving sustainable development.