Dr Deljana Iossifova is Chair of the Board of Trustees at AzuKo. She is also Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies at the University of Manchester, Director of the Confucius Institute and Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Architecture.
What first inspired you to work in urban studies and sustainability?
I arrived at urban studies from architecture, but it was never a straightforward transition. Working as an architect, I often found myself questioning my role in shaping cities – designing spaces that fit neatly into the visions of developers and policymakers, yet feeling increasingly uneasy about the social, economic, and environmental consequences of these projects. Was I complicit in reinforcing the very inequalities I was intellectually committed to challenging? That realisation led me to step away from architectural practice and into research, where I could interrogate these processes from a different perspective.
My early work in Shanghai – where extreme urban transformation was happening before my eyes – cemented my commitment to understanding cities as complex, entangled systems. I was fascinated by how seemingly mundane decisions about housing, infrastructure, or public space shaped not only the physical city but also the social lives of its residents. Urban sustainability, to me, has always been about more than just energy efficiency or green technologies; it is about recognising that infrastructure, social practices, and ecological systems are deeply intertwined. A change in one inevitably sets off ripples through the others. That understanding continues to drive my work today – thinking about how cities evolve, who gets to shape them, and what more just, sustainable urban futures might look like.
As a trustee of AzuKo, what excites you most about the charity’s approach to sanitation and community-led development?
What excites me most is how AzuKo puts communities in the driver’s seat.
“The team at AzuKo does not believe in one-size-fits-all fixes – we work with residents to design and implement solutions that make sense locally.”
For example, in one informal settlement AzuKo helped refurbish an old building into a new sanitation and shower facility, but it’s the community committee that manages it day-to-day. Seeing residents (women and men alike) take charge – forming committees, maintaining facilities, planning upgrades – is incredibly energising. This community-led approach means the improvements are culturally appropriate, more likely to last, and transformative for everyone involved. It turns a technical project into a social process, strengthening community bonds and dignity along with infrastructural outcomes.
How can architects, planners, and policymakers ensure that infrastructure projects, including water and sanitation systems, are not just technically sound but also socially equitable?
The key is – quite obviously – to plan with people, not just for people. Technical soundness is critical, but a project will fall flat if it ignores who benefits or who might be left out. Early on, involve the communities who will use what you design – invite their ideas and listen to their concerns. By encouraging meaningful community engagement and making local organisations true partners, projects can be tailored to fit community needs, leading to fairer outcomes. Practically, this means asking questions like “Who is benefiting, who is impacted, and who is paying for this project?”
When architects and policymakers actively collaborate with residents – holding inclusive design workshops, doing outreach (in multiple languages!), respecting cultural traditions – what we put in place ends up being accessible and beneficial to all.
“In short, treat infrastructure and the built environment as a social undertaking: combine good engineering and design with empathy and transparency. ”
That way, a new water supply or sewer isn’t just technically efficient, but also equitably serves the whole community.
What are the biggest barriers to achieving universal access to clean water and sanitation?
One of the biggest barriers is the assumption that there is a single ‘best’ solution – often imagined as large-scale, networked infrastructure. In reality, people have long been improvising, maintaining, and adapting their own water and sanitation solutions, particularly in contexts where formal services are absent, unreliable, or unaffordable. The challenge isn’t just about expanding infrastructure but about recognising and supporting the systems that already work – whether they are small-scale, decentralised, or embedded in local practices of water collection, reuse, or waste management.
Cultural norms, economic constraints, and everyday routines all shape how people engage with water and sanitation. What works in one place might be inappropriate, impractical, or even harmful in another. Some communities rely on shared or communal facilities not out of necessity but because they serve social functions, while others manage sanitation through systems that don’t fit neatly into conventional engineering categories. Overlooking these everyday practices in favour of standardised, one-size-fits-all solutions can lead to infrastructure that is underused, unaffordable to maintain, or simply unsustainable in the long run.
Another major barrier is the way sanitation is often treated as separate from other aspects of urban life. Water, housing, waste, and hygiene are all deeply interconnected – solutions that ignore these entanglements tend to fall short. For example, improving sanitation in an informal settlement without addressing housing security risks displacing residents altogether; introducing water points without considering how they will be maintained can create dependencies rather than durable solutions.
Ultimately, achieving universal access means recognising that sanitation is not just about infrastructure – it is about people, practices, and place. A more sustainable approach doesn’t just build new systems but works with what exists, strengthens what is already effective, and adapts solutions to local realities rather than imposing external models.
What advice would you give to urban planners, engineers, and development practitioners who want to make a positive impact in the WASH sector?
Think in systems and think long-term. It’s easy to focus on the immediate task of building a well or a toilet but remember that water and sanitation (WASH) exist in a whole ecosystem of people, institutions, and nature.
My advice is to work on strengthening that whole system, not just the hardware. For example, if you’re an engineer designing a water system, also consider how it will be managed and maintained locally in five or ten years – maybe that means training community members or setting up a financing plan for spare parts.
Collaborate widely: partner with local governments, community leaders, NGOs, and even researchers, because WASH challenges cross disciplinary lines and no single expert has all the answers.
Stay humble and listen to the community – their insights about local conditions and customs are gold when tailoring solutions.
“Importantly, prioritise inclusion: make sure women and marginalised groups have a voice in planning, since they often bring perspectives that improve a project’s sustainability (and they’re usually the ones most affected by water issues). ”
How can the public, professionals, and organisations take meaningful action this World Water Day?
World Water Day is all about collective action, so everyone has a role. For the public, even small changes in daily life can add up – the 2023 campaign’s motto was ‘Be the change’, encouraging people to alter how they use and manage water at home. This could mean fixing that leaky tap, taking shorter showers, or not wasting clean water on things like washing cars. These might feel like tiny actions, but they ripple outward: for instance, saving water at home also saves energy (because less pumping and treatment is needed) and that helps the broader environment.
Professionals – like urban planners and engineers – can, of course, use their expertise to design water-efficient buildings, advocate for rainwater harvesting or reuse in projects, and ensure their plans prioritise access for under-served communities.
Organisations and companies can step up by committing to sustainable water use and supporting WASH initiatives. Many join the UN’s Water Action Agenda, making public pledges to do better. On World Water Day, some may host community events, clean-ups of local rivers, or fundraisers for clean water projects.
The important thing is to do something. As the UN Secretary-General reminded us, the world is off-track on water goals, but we can all help accelerate change. Whether it’s educating yourself and others, volunteering, donating to a water charity, or changing your own habits, each action is a piece of the puzzle. When lots of us contribute, we can make real progress toward water and sanitation for everyone.
