Shifting from traditional infrastructure planning to a collaborative approach: lessons from the Freetown sanitation master plan

Planning frameworks, usually in the form of master plans, provide the direction for investment priorities necessary to achieve development objectives in many sub-Saharan African countries. Traditionally, master plans were developed using engineering methodologies with little stakeholder participation. There is little understanding of how master plans for sanitation infrastructure and services can be collaboratively designed. Through the application of a case study from Freetown, Sierra Leone, the paper proposes a framework for shifting infrastructure planning from conventional models to participatory, evidence-based methods. Findings highlight that the commitment of government and funding institutions created a sense of urgency and importance around sanitation issues and unlocked opportunities for increased financing and a better enabling policy and regulatory environment. Active engagement of the community and evidence-based decision-making ensured that the master plan aligned with the specific needs, preferences, and aspirations of all stakeholders. It was however challenging to use the principles of citywide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) for participatory planning because the implementing agencies and stakeholders lacked adequate capacity to do so. These findings hold significant implications for decision-makers, sanitation planners, and municipal authorities engaged in the development of sanitation master plans.