Human Centred Design

Human-centred design is an approach to problem-solving that emphasizes prioritizing people over technology.

Human-Centred Design at CDD India : Putting People First to Solve Complex Problems

Human-centered design is not just an approach; it is, arguably, the only effective way to solve real-world problems. At its core, it prioritizes people’s needs, behaviors, and contexts before technology, recognizing that neglecting this focus often leads to unintended consequences and exacerbated challenges.

This philosophy is deeply embedded in CDD India’s approach to innovating, demonstrating, and mainstreaming sustainable solutions. Our guiding principle — “what cannot be maintained should not be built” — underscores the importance of thoroughly understanding local contexts. Human motivations and behaviors lie at the heart of these contexts. Only by clearly articulating and engaging with these human elements can we ensure that technology truly serves the people it is meant for.

Innovation at CDD begins with informed assumptions about how a system might function in the real world. Initial pilot projects illuminate these assumptions, but given the complexities of human behavior and varying local conditions, a single context can never fully validate a solution. Therefore, we deploy innovations across multiple contexts. This iterative deployment sharpens our understanding and deepens the human-centeredness of the solution by continuously testing and refining initial hypotheses.

For a solution to move from innovation to mainstream adoption, it must overcome numerous barriers, including:

  • A nuanced understanding of waste generation: Recognizing not only current behaviors that generate waste but also how these behaviors may evolve over time and under different influences.
  • Clear operations and maintenance requirements: Designing systems that are easy to operate regardless of the operator’s skill level, minimizing complexity to reduce training and upkeep challenges.
  • Insight into end-user needs: Whether the treated resource is destined for farmers, gardeners, or toilet users, solutions must align with their expectations and practical requirements.
  • Administrative feasibility: Factoring in costs, aesthetic acceptability, and institutional capacity to support the system sustainably.

Human-centeredness is not a one-time event; it demands repeated engagement, humility, attentive listening, and openness to re-evaluating problems as new insights emerge. The best learning comes from tackling unresolved challenges, highlighting where the human aspects have yet to be fully addressed.

In the sanitation sector, this approach requires particular courage. A malfunctioning wastewater treatment system not only exposes users to health risks from pathogens but can also contaminate the environment and rapidly erode the trust of communities and stakeholders. Trust, painstakingly built over time, can vanish swiftly if human-centered design is overlooked during development.

For wastewater treatment systems, durability and functionality over decades — typically 20 to 25 years — are essential. While design calculations and treatment technologies may seem straightforward on paper, sustained success demands meticulous planning and deep contextual understanding.

CDD India’s track record speaks volumes: over 400 systems planned, designed, and supported to function effectively over time, demonstrating the power of human-centered design in practice. We actively share this knowledge through targeted trainings, cultivating a wider appreciation for this approach.

What distinguishes CDD’s human-centered design approach?

Among many facets, CDD focuses especially on two critical aspects:

  1. Ergonomics:
    Systems must be operator-friendly, recognizing that maintenance of sanitation infrastructure is often a challenging, non-aspirational task. We minimize physical and procedural barriers — for example, designing inspection chambers that are easy for women to lift, ensuring access points are spacious and safe for operators to enter and exit, and prioritizing gravity-driven wastewater flow to reduce the need for pump operation or level checks, especially in remote areas.
  2. Aesthetics:
    Wastewater treatment often carries a stigma. However, when treatment facilities are designed beautifully — integrating greenery and thoughtful landscapes — perceptions transform positively. Creating an “awe factor” helps communities form emotional connections with these systems, fostering a sense of pride and ownership that is critical for long-term sustainability.

Our flagship projects, such as the treatment system at Arvind Eye Hospital, the Devanahalli Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant, and the Mahadevpura Lake treatment facility, exemplify this philosophy. Though fundamentally technical infrastructure, these systems have become celebrated community assets — functional, sustainable, and admired as works of art.

At CDD India, this is how technology is made to work for people: by centering design around human needs, capabilities, and aspirations.

What is unique about CDD's Human-Centred design approach?

Human-centered design encompasses various aspects, but CDD focuses explicitly on two crucial elements:

  • The system should be designed to be convenient for the operator. Maintenance of sanitation systems is not an easy job. We try to minimize hindrances for operators. Inspection chambers should be easy to lift. Access points should be wide and accessible. We try to use gravity to move wastewater. This avoids the need to check levels or use pumps, especially in remote areas.
  • Aesthetics play an important role in wastewater treatment systems. By incorporating beautiful and green designs, and cleverly utilizing landscapes, the community can be pleasantly surprised and develop a connection with the system, leading to a sense of ownership.

Our flagship projects, such as the Arvind Eye Hospital, the Devanahalli FSTP, and the Treatment system at Mahadevpura Lake, have proven to be successful in their functionality as treatment systems while incorporating elements of artistic design. This demonstrates the positive impact of technology on people.