Astrid Hendriksen

Participatory Decision Making for Sanitation Improvements in Unplanned Urban Settlements in East Africa

Solving the problem of inadequate access to sanitation in unplanned settlements in East Africa needs to combine social and technical dimensions in such a manner that they fit the local context. The modernized mixtures approach offers an analytical framework for identifying such solutions, but this approach requires effective methods for participatory decision making. This article intends to contribute to filling this gap by identifying and further elaborating an appropriate multicriteria decision-making tool. The multicriteria decision analysis methodology, Proact 2.0, offers an adequate solution as it creates the possibility to connect knowledge, experiences, and preferences from scientists, experts, and policy makers with those of the end users. We show in particular that users not always prefer the most optimal sanitation system, defined from an “expert” point of view. This article concludes that using Proact 2.0 can lead to substantial improvements in decision making in the field of sanitation in unplanned settlements in East Africa.

A Learning and Decision Methodology for Drainage and Sanitation Improvement in Developing Cities

In urban areas in the South drainage and sanitation systems in various states of development coexist. At a certain stage authorities have to take decisions concerning the transition from on-site to off-site systems or the unification (centralization) of the decentralized systems in their constituencies. A method is presented to support decisions about drainage and sanitation systems based on multi-criteria decision analysis in combination with stakeholder dialogues. This participatory methodology brings about a learning process in which experts and non-experts are enabled to connect local experience with systemic knowledge, in order to generate, assess and select sustainable drainage and sanitation solutions. The method is supported by a database which describes 58 drainage and sanitation options, assessment objectives, a screening aid and a performance matrix. The options are constructed on the basis of different water-using and reuse-oriented toilet types, the use/non-use of septic tanks, and different collection systems for stormwater and domestic waste water, which distinguish themselves by different environmental performance and the way the unwanted water is transported. Through application during workshops in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Kampala (Uganda) insight was gained in the possibilities of the method and in items to be improved.

Mainstreaming Fair Trade: The Role of Retailers

Abstract In just two decades, fair trade has evolved from a niche market supplying products for a small group of dedicated consumers to a well-established market in several European countries, including the Netherlands. This transition has led to important changes in the dynamics in the fair-trade supply chain and the role of different participating actors. The success of this provisioning model depends upon producers and consumers as well as on the engagement of retailers, but to date researchers have not actively investigated their role. This article helps fill this gap by applying a social practices perspective to analyze the role of retailers in the fair-trade supply chain in the Netherlands. Our empirical research shows that Dutch retailers may apply different strategies when selling fair-trade products, but also that many of them are interested in supplying these goods for reasons other than economic advantage. The main challenge that retailers face is how to balance actively promoting fair-trade products to consumers and presenting their outlet as unique by selling such items in a consumer-silent manner and contributing to a broader transition toward sustainable production and consumption.