Final answer:
In the 19th century, cities like London enhanced sanitary conditions by developing complex sewer systems and public toilets, with Joseph Bazalgette playing a key role in London after the Great Stink. These improvements aided in reducing disease outbreaks and improving public health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paleolithic and Highland ("P&H") civilizations embedded sophisticated systems into their urban design to tackle sanitation issues. One of the most influential periods in the development of sanitary urban planning was during the 19th century. The notorious "Great Stink" of 1858 in London prompted significant changes. Joseph Bazalgette, a railway engineer, was knighted for redesigning London's sewer system between 1859 and 1875, which included major purification pumping systems installed in the 1880s.
Furthermore, the period witnessed the introduction of public toilets and water pipes that brought potable water to urban areas, contributing to the reduction of diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. Such innovations improved cleanliness and health substantially. The clean water, along with sewer systems that transported waste away from residential areas, reflected an advancement in public health and urban planning.
Rome, for example, had a sewer system where aqueduct water along with natural water sources helped flush away human waste. This waste unfortunately ended up in the Tiber River untreated, causing pollution. The wealthy had the luxury of indoor plumbing, while public latrines served the common people.
Overall, the developments in sanitary systems were pivotal in transforming the health and hygiene standards of cities, influencing modern urban planning.