Building Foundations: Literature review for Equitable Water and Sanitation Governance in Kibera
A solid literature review is the genesis of a strong research dissertation. In my study on equitable water and sanitation governance in Kibera, the literature review serves as the foundation for understanding existing knowledge, identifying gaps, and framing my research within broader academic and policy discussions. This process is more than just summing up the material written, but also critically analyzing and synthesizing diverse viewpoints to provide a cohesive narrative.
The Landscape of Marginalization: Understanding the Terrain
It is shown from the literature that water and sanitation access in informal settlements like Kibera is entrenched in structural inequalities and exclusionary urban policies as well as embedded in power dynamics. It is evident that inadequate infrastructure and governance frameworks disproportionately impact marginalized groups, including women and low-income families, as highlighted in several studies. Researchers such as UN-Habitat (2010) and Satterthwaite (2016) emphasize the role of systemic neglect and lack of investment in exacerbating these inequalities.
Moreover, global comparisons—such as work on Dharavi in India or Rocinha in Brazil—highlight common patterns of exclusion in informal settlements while offering insights into community-led solutions that have achieved tangible improvements.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Key Themes
A critical aspect of the literature review is its interdisciplinary nature. Governance of water and sanitation is not isolated from these other themes, as it is tied up in themes from urban studies, public health, economics, and social justice. For instance:
- Urban Studies: What a spatial segregation and urban planning failures perpetuate marginalization.
- Public Health: Additionally, it highlights the connection between low disease prevalence and the improvement of overall well being if proper sanitation is maintained.
- Social Justice: Exploring how governance systems have systematically excluded certain populations from decision making processes.
By integrating these perspectives, the literature review reveals how marginalization is not merely a technical problem but a political and social issue that requires transformative governance solutions.
Identifying Gaps: The Path Forward
While existing literature provides valuable insights, significant gaps remain, particularly regarding the futures dimensionof water governance. These studies mostly focus on current challenges without studying alternative future scenarios or strategies for equitable governance. This gap is where my dissertation contributes—by adopting futures research methods, I aim to explore pathways for community-driven solutions that address both present inequities and future uncertainties.
Additionally, the voices of Kibera residents are often underrepresented in existing studies. My research seeks to address this by incorporating qualitative insights from lived experiences, ensuring that marginalized voices inform policy recommendations.
The Role of Critical Analysis
Conducting a literature review goes beyond collecting data—it involves critically evaluating sources to understand their methodologies, biases, and relevance. For example:
Are they based on comprehensive data or on assumptions?
Do they take into consideration factors like gender, class, and age?
How do they tackle the role of power in determining the character of governance systems?
Through this critical engagement, my research stands on credible literature and disrupts dominant narratives that exclude.
A Solid Foundation for Change
Through the literature review, I have a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities of equitable water and sanitation governance in Kibera. Through synthesizing interdisciplinary perspectives, identifying gaps and critically reviewing existing studies, I have provided a strong foundation for my research. Moving forward, this review will guide my methodology and contribute to actionable solutions that promote inclusive, community-led governance in informal settlements.
