Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the East Coast. The city's urban planning showcases the city's vibrant, diverse, historic and unique neighborhoods. Urban planning began there in the 19th century. The urban population increased dramatically, and this brought with it a host of problems: unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and government corruption. Economic depressions have promoted a climate of social unrest, violence, strikes, and disease (Rose, 1997). In the early 19th century, the development of American cities often took a compact, mixed-use form, reminiscent of that found in places like Old Town Alexandria. In the early 20th century, attention focused on the geography of water supplies, wastewater disposal, and urban transportation (Virginia Places, 2010). This article will discuss the city's historical and current sanitation program and housing arrangements for wastewater disposal. Before the 19th century, sewage disposal was virtually unknown until the first American cities were built around 1700. Human waste was originally disposed of in the woods, but some wealthy Virginians built large homes and used chamber pots to " do their business" in the house, and the contents were thrown into the backyard. Later, as cities developed, waste was thrown into the streets to decompose or be swept away during storms (Virginia Places, 2010). Latrines or outhouses were also built in courtyards and were commonly used to dispose of waste. Toilets, also known as “water toilets,” were installed in homes in the mid-19th century in the United States. The toilet had internal plumbing where pipes ran through the roof and a gravity... center of paper... their ecology, making the city easier to sustain for years to come. Works Cited Frederick Law Olmsted (2009). FrederickLawOlmsted.com. Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://www.fredericklawolmsted.com/Lifeframe.htmHistory (2010). Alessandria Sanitation Authority (ASA). Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://www.alexsan.com/Levy, J.M. (2011). Contemporary Urban Planning (9th ed). Upper Saddle River, N.J. Rose, J. K. (1997, November 8). The beautiful movement of the city. University of Virginia. Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/citybeautiful/city.htmlWastewater Treatment in Virginia (2010). Places in Virginia. Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://www.virginiaplaces.org/waste/sewer.htmlUrban Planning (2010). Global language translation. Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Urban_planning