Abstract:
The fundamental problem with the ‘traditional’ Web is: information is designed for human
consumption and even with the evolution of powerful search engines, information filtering
still remains a task that requires significant human involvement. Consequently, any
application that is designed to use Web-enabled technologies will eventually encounter
problems related to ‘information overload’ and ‘digital anarchy’ (the latter problem emanates
from lack of interoperability across systems especially in different organisations).
This paper describes a conceptual framework that addresses these issues using emerging
Semantic Web Technologies. The framework will focus on demonstrating the potential
benefits of using semantic markups and ontologies to augment Web content for Sanitation
initiatives in informal settlements using the experience in Nairobi as a test case. It will
address problems arising from the sheer scale and diversity of data on sustainable sanitation
practice through the use of the Semantic Web technologies. The conceptual framework
presented in this paper will be further defined through an iteration of workshops with the
stakeholders and expanded into a platform for semantically matching a controlled taxonomy
for Sustainable Sanitation for informal settlements.
