An Evaluation of Spatial Network Modeling To Aid Sanitation Planning In Informal Settlements Using Crowd-Sourced Data

Abstract: Limited water and sanitation infrastructure in rapidly urbanising informal settlements can present significant health and environmental risks to the populations of developing nations. Where formal piped networks are not available, road-based sewage treatment-transportation options have been cited as a viable alternative. However, little research has been undertaken to evaluate the long-term operational costs of such systems. In this paper we present an evaluation of network modelling, as a novel method to evaluate the costs of road-based sewage treatment-transport options. Such analysis is made possible using crowd-sourced, open geospatial data sets that allow us to examine costs based on different spatio-topological network configurations. It is envisaged that engineers could use such a tool as part of the sanitation planning process, to evaluate sanitation network implementation options. This study provides an evaluation of the methods using a case study from the Kibera settlement in Kenya. Citation: Holderness, T., Kennedy-Walker, R., Alderson, D. & Evans, B. (2014). An Evaluation of Spatial Network Modeling To Aid Sanitation Planning In Informal Settlements Using Crowd-Sourced Data. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.