Assignment Name: Public Places Survey and Public Toilet Demand Scan in Gazipur City Corporation under the WASH SDG Programme

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: SNV Netherlands Development Organization

The Public Places Survey and Public Toilet Demand Scan in Gazipur City Corporation under the WASH SDG Programme aimed to address the critical sanitation needs of Gazipur’s growing urban population. This initiative, implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation with financial support from Dutch Government, focused on improving sanitation access and hygiene facilities, particularly in public places within Zones 1 (Tongi) and 4 (Gazipur Sadar) of the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC). The program supported the development of a long-term investment plan for public toilets to enhance the quality of life, health, dignity, and convenience of the city’s residents and commuters.

The study assessed the existing public toilet facilities, evaluated their functionality, and identified gaps in accessibility and services. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study mapped all public spaces and conducted a demand scan to determine the current and future requirements for sanitation facilities. The project also incorporated a gender-sensitive and inclusive approach, ensuring facilities addressed the specific needs of women, children, elderly people, and persons with disabilities. The findings served as a foundation for designing an integrated sanitation strategy and prioritizing locations for new public toilets based on locational suitability, population density, and land availability.

Specific objectives of the assignment included:

• To conduct a complete survey of public places existing in Gazipur City Corporation
• To assess existing public toilets located at public places in GCC based on agreed criteria and analyse the needs for upgradation/ service expansion to address the current demands into those locations.
• To identify new locations for public toilets in GCC to serve the current and future demands with availability of space, ownership of the land, and population coverage. The consultant will prioritize the locations based on the needs and availability of space.
• To prepare profile of individual public toilets located in GCC constructed by City Corporation (or prior Municipality authority) including requirements for upgradation.
• To prepare abridged version (separate for towns) of summary report on public toilet demand scan.

The project team conducted the following key activities to achieve the assignment objectives:

Comprehensive Survey and Data Collection:

• Conducted a detailed survey of all public places in Zones 1 and 4 of GCC, including markets, bus and train stations, parks, and other high-traffic areas.
• Collected primary data using Akvo Flow software, ensuring real-time, accurate data entry through mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.
• Administered structured questionnaires to users, caretakers, and authorities, complemented by FGDs, KIIs, and transect walks for qualitative insights.

Assessment of Existing Public Toilets:

• Developed detailed profiles of all existing public toilets, categorizing them based on accessibility, maintenance, functionality, and compliance with national sanitation standards.
• Evaluated operational issues such as maintenance practices, sanitation infrastructure, water and solid waste management, and special provisions for vulnerable groups.

Demand Appraisal and Suitability Analysis:

• Conducted demand scans to assess the need for additional public toilets, identifying priority locations based on criteria like population density, availability of space, and user preferences.
• Utilized GIS mapping tools to visualize existing and proposed public toilet locations, integrating findings with demographic and infrastructure data.

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building:

• Facilitated participatory workshops at the ward level, engaging local officials, community leaders, and users to validate findings and prioritize locations for new toilets.
• Conducted training sessions for enumerators and facilitators, ensuring high-quality data collection and community engagement.

Analysis and Reporting:

• Performed a comprehensive analysis of collected data, applying quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate sanitation coverage and identify critical gaps.
• Generated key deliverables, including:
• A baseline report on the current status of public toilets and public spaces.
• A detailed demand scan report with projections for future requirements.
• Design recommendations and technical drawings (in AutoCAD) for the upgrade of existing facilities and construction of new toilets.
• Delivered a final report, integrating stakeholder feedback and providing actionable recommendations for GCC’s sanitation strategy.

Recommendations and Planning:

• Proposed policy interventions and design standards for sustainable public toilet management.
• Prioritized 10 new locations for public toilet construction, considering accessibility, safety, and future urban growth.

This assignment provided a strategic roadmap for addressing Gazipur’s urban sanitation challenges, ensuring equitable access to clean and functional public toilets for all city residents.