Perspective. A system for sanitation, dignity, and slum economies.
A comprehensive system designed to address sanitation issues and the societal perspective on slums in India — built around community-owned toilets that generate revenue, employment, and pride.
Redefining perspectives, one toilet at a time.
This innovative system seeks to redefine perspectives by fostering a collaborative environment that not only addresses sanitation concerns but also contributes to positive social change. It is designed to empower the residents, provide them with a sustainable income source, and challenge societal preconceptions about their community.
Roles
Methods adopted
- 01 Systems Mapping
- 02 Affinity Mapping
- 03 User Journey Mapping
- 04 User Scenario Mapping
- 05 Persona
- 06 Participant Interviews
- 07 Subject Matter Expert Interview
- 08 Opportunity Mapping
Between aspiration and the cost of city living.
India, in its journey towards development, witnesses a significant influx of people transitioning from rural to urban landscapes in pursuit of an improved life and better economic opportunities. However, the shift to metropolitan cities brings with it the harsh reality of increased living costs and expensive housing.
This stark economic disparity forces many individuals to find alternative, more affordable living arrangements, leading to a substantial population residing in slums as a realistic means of survival. In the gap between aspiring for a better life and facing the tough realities of city living, lies a powerful story of the people living in the slums.
Perspective was an academic project centered around the system of community toilets. Having experienced life in Nashik and Mumbai — the latter being home to one of the world’s largest slums — I often wondered about the living conditions of such areas. Observing the population and congestion made me curious about the functionality of the community toilet facility. The designer in me was intrigued to find out how the system works, what agencies and stakeholders are involved, and to what degree the system is functional.
From silent surveys to group conversations.
According to the UN, slums are places with groups of individuals lacking one or more necessities of life — access to water, sanitation, living spaces, durable housing, or security of tenure (Nolan, 2015). To gain a comprehensive understanding of the workings of the slum, I initially conducted secondary research using published articles and journals, and immersed myself in the slums to observe daily life before commencing primary research.
Gathering quantitative data through surveys wasn't feasible due to the need for more suitable devices and technological literacy among users. In the absence of traditional surveys, I employed semi-structured interviews as my primary research tool for gathering qualitative data.
Recognizing this pattern, I adapted my approach to include group interviews alongside individual ones. This method allowed me to draw out deeper insights by fostering open discussions about issues related to toilets, sanitation, and the involved stakeholders. The shift in research strategy proved instrumental in capturing the emotional perspectives of the community, enriching the overall user experience exploration.
The targeted demographic comprised individuals residing in the slums, while interview participants included community members and government employees responsible for daily toilet maintenance. I had the privilege of conducting interviews with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) — specifically, government officials overseeing the entire system. Engaging with these experts provided valuable insights into the government's perspective, revenue considerations, and illuminated the factors contributing to gaps within the system.
A toilet is a sub-system inside a larger one.
In this context, a toilet functions as a sub-system within the broader framework of a “Slum” — a comprehensive system. To understand the user environment and the daily challenges significantly influencing interactions with community toilets, mind-mapping every sub-system of the slum and its components proved vital.
The toilet comprises multiple interconnected components, spanning drainage, water supply, and electricity. Without water for flushing, toilets lose their efficiency; lacking electricity poses safety hazards for nighttime usage; and a clogged drainage system results in unhygienic and unusable facilities. Instead of viewing these interdependencies as barriers, we could offer an opportunity for strategic optimization to enhance user experiences — the water used for washing clothes could be repurposed for toilet cleaning or watering plants, showcasing innovative ways to leverage resources within the system for multifaceted benefits.
The infographic illustrates the intricate network of sub-systems within the community toilets. It served as a pivotal component in my research, shedding light on the procedural intricacies involved not only in the construction of new toilets but also in their ongoing maintenance.
For example, taps and flush mechanisms are essential for a toilet to function properly. However, in communities where daily wages are the norm and ownership is lacking, theft of these items was common due to their good resale price — shedding light on the financial needs of the community. I also gained insight into the complexities associated with elevating complaints or issues to higher government authorities, and the community’s reliance on governmental support. The map clarified the inputs and outputs of the system, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
What users carry — literally and emotionally.
Journey mapping enabled us to collect valuable data regarding the various age groups of users of the toilet facilities, their respective needs, and the essential components required for functionality. It provided insights into the behavior and experiences of different age groups of women.
Older womenaccustomed to the environment, focused on quick use without concern for cleanliness or odor. Younger womentook precautions by tying scarves around their faces, holding up their sarees to avoid wetness or dirt, and avoiding unflushed toilets. Children under 14preferred open defecation over using the damp, dirty, and smelly toilets — further polluting other parts of the slum.
A common behavior across all age groups and genders was carrying a water bucket when using the washroom — highlighting the systemic challenges, such as clogged waterlines and the frequent theft of vital elements like taps and flush mechanisms due to their resale value. By visually mapping out these broken links, we identified areas needing intervention and devised effective strategies to address them.
Three problems, one missing link.
The infographic outlines the three primary issues concerning toilets along with their underlying causes. An opportunity-mapping exercise was conducted to identify the project's scope and pinpoint the critical link within the system that, when triggered, may have a repelling effect on the wider issues.
The core problem
At the heart of the matter lies a lack of accountability among individuals towards government-built toilets. While a minority prioritizes toilet cleanliness, a collective sense of unity is absent. The absence of a sense of ownership — wherein individuals do not identify with the toilet as “ours” — stems from a lack of pride in their living conditions. Circumstances have forced them into this situation, leading to a disconnection from their surroundings, including the toilet facilities provided by the government.
A loop of four parts — waste becomes income.
The entire system operates in a loop of four interconnected parts. It begins with the generation of feces as people use community toilets. The next step is the collection of human waste. The third part involves converting this waste into dump cakes and fertilizers — historically, cow dung has been used as fuel for cooking in India, and we propose using human waste similarly. The fourth step is to create a space within the slums that serves as a nursery for plants and a market for fertilizers.
Use
Residents and visitors use community toilets — generating the raw input the system depends on.
Collection
Human waste is systematically collected by an organized community team — replacing ad-hoc municipal pickup.
Dump cakes & fertilizer
Waste is converted into dump cakes (fuel) and fertilizer — mirroring the role of cow dung in rural India.
Nursery & market
A nursery and farmers’ market inside the slum sells produce and fertilizer — and invites outsiders in.
By producing fertilizers from human waste, we can sell them and use them to grow plants on rooftops and verandas — beautifying the slum and challenging the notion that slums must be dirty. The farmers’ market attracts outsiders to the slums and breaks the societal norm of avoiding these areas. Visitors would pay to use the toilets, generating additional revenue for the community.
Ownership through organization
To instill ownership within the community, the key is helping them generate revenue from this system. For the system to function effectively, the toilets must be clean — thus placing the responsibility of maintaining them on the community rather than a third party. I propose forming an organization within the community and assigning specific tasks to different groups:
This collaborative approach not only fosters a sense of belonging and ownership but also strengthens community bonds, ensuring mutual support during prosperous as well as challenging times.
Recognition, lessons, and a philosophy.
The root of this project was to provide the people living in the slums with clean, hygienic, and sanitary community toilets — something they can use, be proud of, and take ownership of. It further aimed to combat the stigma surrounding slums and their residents by integrating outside populations, potentially breaking societal barriers.
Despite the project not progressing to implementation, discussions and demonstrations of the proposed solution were shared with all stakeholders. The project yielded invaluable lessons — notably the oversight of not familiarizing ourselves with certain laws regarding legal and illegal slums, community rights, and governmental involvement before initiating user interviews, which resulted in a delayed timeline. A critical realization was recognizing the unique cultural context of India: our proposed solution involving the use of human waste for fuel clashed with cultural beliefs, leading to hesitancy among stakeholders.
Nevertheless, the project received recognition from the community for its role in providing clean community toilets, generating income, and fostering independence and unity.
My approach towards this community exemplifies this philosophy. Our solution not only ensures clean and sanitary community toilets but also addresses the emotional stigma associated with being a slum resident, which has historically prevented full ownership and pride in their environment. By challenging societal norms and encouraging external engagement, we aim to dissolve the barriers between slum residents and the outside world — fostering a sense of dignity and equality.
