Public restrooms and design for maintenance

I go back and forth on the need for public restrooms. Obviously, they are needed, but the utilitarian part of me recognizes the great costs involved in maintaining public restrooms, the likelihood of vandalism, etc.

I like the idea of the self-cleaning restroom boxes in Europe, which are being introduced here and there in the U.S., having been delayed for many years over disability access issues. (The problem with disabled access is that such restrooms are much larger than the traditionally-sized units in Europe, which allow more than one person to enter, therefore providing an opportunity for fun and games and disorder.)

One of my contacts forwarded me this link from I Love Bacon not knowing that I had already gotten into a little neighborhood discussion sort of about public urination. (I confronted someone about his activity and he responded "white people don't own everything." I used this experience to make the point that just because people will accuse others of "racism," it doesn't necessarily mean that such charges are honest or accurate. Pissing in public is one thing. Being called out on it is something else. But it's not racism.)



Speaking of the cost of maintaining public restrooms... maybe these are needed in Union Station, or maybe it's just after (almost) 100 years that it's impossible to get out all of the smell.

Also see this previous blog entry, "Restrooms and street signs." And I'll have to try to dig up this article:

Newman, B. 1997. Apple turnover: Dutch are invading JKF Arrivals building and none too soon—U.S.’s best known airport has been a lousy place to land, walk, or stand—using flies to help fliers. Wall Street Journal, May 13, 1997, page A1.

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