Final answer:
The insecurity of living in informal settlements hinders residents from developing sustainable sanitation solutions, leading to temporary and insufficient improvised methods. These approaches do not solve the larger issues of inadequate sanitation infrastructure and the resulting public health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Desai, the insecurity of living in an informal settlement affects residents' strategies for 'improvised' sanitation as it hinders improvised sanitation. The lack of 'ownership' rights to their land and houses makes it challenging for residents to invest in or develop long-term, sustainable sanitation solutions. This precarious situation leads to suboptimal improvised methods that are often the only options for residents facing the immediate need for sanitation without having any formal infrastructure or support in place. Improvisation under such duress rarely amounts to holistic solutions to the sanitation problems plaguing these communities.
Insecure living conditions in informal settlements have a compounding effect on the challenges faced by the residents. Due to these insecurities, residents may resort to makeshift solutions that, while resourceful, cannot fully address the scale and complexity of the issues presented by inadequate sanitation measures. Moreover, these quick-fixes do not resolve the underlying problems caused by rapid urbanization and poverty, such as overcrowded living conditions and limited access to clean water and healthcare. Consequently, improvisation in the face of such insecurity is not a long-term solution to sanitation problems; it is a stop-gap that underscores the need for more comprehensive, systemic efforts to ensure sanitation security.