Project Sammaan

Project Sammaan aimed to address the critical issue of open defecation in urban slums. The project leadership decided to pilot community toilets in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, India to gain information about further diffusing interesting approaches to the problem. Launched in April 2012, the project brought together a diverse team of designers, architects, and social researchers to create innovative, scalable solutions for sanitation issues. Despite these collaborative efforts, the project encountered numerous setbacks, including delays in approval and misunderstandings among partners. These issues raised several critical questions for Project Sammaan's future. Leadership had to contemplate whether additional funding was necessary and how it should be allocated. Additionally, there was a need to reassess the management structure and redefine research objectives to ensure alignment with achievable goals.