Urban sanitation: An unprecedented and growing challenge

Urban sanitation presents particular challenges. Cramped conditions make open defecation particularly threatening to health; the siting of new latrines and the emptying of existing latrines are also problematic. Lack of planning, staffing and resources means slum sanitation is often sidelined. Urbanization means that in spite of efforts to increase sanitation coverage, the percentage of those with adequate sanitation in some cities is falling.