Climate Change Impacts on Urban Sanitation: A Systematic Review and Failure Mode Analysis

Abstract

Climate change will stress urban sanitation systems. Although urban sanitation uses various infrastructure types and service systems, current research appears skewed toward a small subset of cases. We conducted a systematic literature review to critically appraise the evidence for climate change impacts on all urban sanitation system types. We included road-based transport networks, an essential part of fecal sludge management systems. We combined the evidence on climate change impacts with the existing knowledge about modes of urban sanitation failures. We found a predominance of studies that assess climate impacts on centralized sewerage in high-income contexts. The implications of climate change for urban nonsewered and complex, fragmented, and (partially) decentralized sanitation systems remain underresearched. In addition, the understanding of the impacts of climate change on urban sanitation systems fails to take a comprehensive citywide perspective considering interdependencies with other sectors and combinations of climate effects. We conclude that the evidence for climate change impacts on urban sanitation systems is weak. To date, research neither adequately represents the variety of urban sanitation infrastructure and service systems nor reflects the operational and management challenges of already stressed systems.

Understanding the impact of land use change on urban flood susceptibility mapping assessment: A review

“…The dynamic aspects of interrelated processes are involved in the effect of land use change on flood hazards (Hyde-Smith et al, 2022). In urban areas, the configuration of the land structure, originally useful for suppressing interception, has been altered due to the need for built-up land, resulting in a decrease in storage capacity and even indirectly contributing to the degradation of soil characteristics (Wang et al, 2022).…”

Climate Change and Aging Health in Developing Countries

“…While climate change affects the entire populace, the elderly possess specific susceptibilities, as substantiated by an expanding body of research. [ 40 ] Moreover, older adults surpassing the age of 65 confront a notably increased peril of mortality amidst extreme weather occurrences due to their heightened vulnerability to temperature extremes. [ 41 ] Their increased susceptibility to disease, reduced mobility, and the effects of food and water shortages makes them more vulnerable.…”

Urban Sanitation: New Terminology for Globally Relevant Solutions?

“…In upper-income countries, treatment is never 100% and is more costly as it becomes more extensive . In areas with combined wastewater and stormwater management, combined sewer overflows of raw sewage during rainfall events translate to untreated excreta in recreational water, fish and shellfish harvesting areas, and agriculture. , Increasing density and instability in weather patterns increase the likelihood of massive failures …”

“…31,32 Increasing density and instability in weather patterns increase the likelihood of massive failures. 33 3. Fecal Sludge Is Not a Useful Descriptor.…”