Abstract

CALVO SALAZAR, Cindy. Sustainable Environmental Sanitation from a multi-layered approach: the case of Costa Rica (2005-2015). PSM [online]. 2019, vol.16, n.2, pp.1-27. ISSN 1659-0201.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/psm.v0i0.35533.

Analyzes Costa Rica’s recent efforts to achieve a sustainable environmental sanitation. Mainly, it is based on a reference that integrates the notion of environmental sanitation practices at multiple levels: both at the macro level (environmental and social policies) and at the micro level (community actions and individual daily practices), using the theoretical perspective of the social resilience. To carry out the study, a mixed methodology was used, the qualitative data were obtained from in-depth interviews with national authorities, local, community leaders, and head of households. The quantitative data were obtained from the application of a survey to three different communities with rural, urban, and semi-urban characteristics. At the national level, the main result is a paradigm shift in the conception of health, where the joint production of healthy environments should be paramount, within the framework of the right to live in a healthy and sustainable environment. At the community level, local efforts to protect their natural resources for tourism or productive purposes are highlighted; at the individual level, a mixture of reactive and proactive daily practices have been identified.

Keywords : Drinking Water; Sanitation; Environmental Sanitation; Sustainable Development; Social Resilience; Costa Rica..

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