THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC TOILETS Managing in a Difficult Climate 2011 IPWEA International Public Works Conference 23 rd August 2011
PUBLIC TOILETS ARE A BIG NECESSITY Provided in Pompeii for residents Deal with people s waste when away from home Public Urinals for men first installed in Melbourne in 1859 The first Public Convenience for Women installed underground with urinals for men in 1902
EFFECT ON TOURISTS Encourage travellers to rest and shop for food and drink Shopping Centres/strips Major and Minor Recreational Areas
GRIFFITH SHOPS, CANBERRA
AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS New public toilet design and configurations driven by Building Code and AS1428 requirements Local government main providers Historically public toilets low priority Leading councils appreciate importance to the community A public toilet strategy Sets standards in public toilet maintenance and cleanliness Automated Public Toilets (APTs) have widespread acceptance Provide lower life cycle cost than non-automated toilets Generally provides a higher standard of presentation to public
AS 1428.1-2009 Accessible cubicle Disability provision priority Back Rest now required Restricted fixtures Restricts carer use Wash basin within cubicle Small wheelchairs only Clear door opening 850mm Larger Circulation Space
EUROPEAN BOWL/BACK REST
AS 1428.1 - Ambulant Cubicle 2 nd Cubicle for ambulant disabled Clear door opening 700mm Handrails to side walls Maximum width 920mm 600mm toilet pan 900mm clear space to door Minimum depth 1500 to 2200mm Wash basin not required in cubicle
CHANGING PLACES
TWO CUBICLE FACILITIES Combined Accessible & Ambulant Cubicles Different Circulation Spaces Overall Smaller Footprint Reduced Capital and Operating Expenses Unisex Reduces Queuing CF Twin accessible units which allow gender separation Larger Footprint Higher capital cost
TWO CUBICLE TOILET - FINLAND
THREE CUBICLE TOILET Unisex Accessible & Normal Cubicles with Male Urinal at Stockholm Bus Node
MANAGEMENT COMPARISONS Single Unisex Cubicle Lowest management costs Unisex use Queuing Two cubicle facility - greatest flexibility Costs less than traditional gender separated toilets Possible queuing for some activities Flexibility of partial closure during times of low use Gender separated toilets cater for larger numbers. Highest management costs Highest capital cost Greater exposure to vandalism and antisocial use
RICHMOND, TASMANIA Toilet Block & Bus Shelter
GRIFFITH SHOPS, CANBERRA
GRIFFITH SHOPS, CANBERRA
GRIFFITH SHOPS, CANBERRA
VANDALISM REDUCTION Smooth surfaces allow easier removal of graffiti Tiles, glass, vitreous enamel, 2pak Paints and Laminex Porous surfaces attract graffiti artists Avoid plain/texture absorbent surfaces. Internal and External Graphics to reduce graffiti CPTED Siting Principles reduce vandalism & antisocial behaviour Garden Surrounds protect walls Attach to other functions Layout must deter loitering
WALL GRAPHICS
GRONINGEN TOILET NETHERLANDS Opaque glass cladding by Rem koolhaas with lively photographic images by Erwin Olaf Toilet closed in winter as the drain in front of picture freezes over
EUROPEAN TOILETS Access standards not always compulsory Spacing every 500 metres in densely populated areas Many toilets maintained by on-site attendants Attendants and service personnel uniformed and well groomed Cost of public toilets covered in many instances by advertising and fee-for-service Widespread acceptance of APTs; 2,300 APTs across Europe at the end of 2004 Increase provision of Urinals
BIRMINGHAM SHOPPING CENTRE COMMON TOILET ENTRANCE Located off main shopping mall with centralised common gender entrance
LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND
LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND
DOWNTOWN TOKYO
DOWNTOWN TOKYO
SINGAPORE ZOO
SINGAPORE ZOO
SINGAPORE ZOO
TAIPEI, TAIWAN
TAIPEI, TAIWAN
TAIPEI, TAIWAN
AUSTRALIAN BEST PRACTICE Adhere to CPTED principles Locate in consultation with Police Maximise visibility Eliminate / reduce opportunity for loitering Harden target Maintain toilet in good condition Reduce common area Each cubicle has a hand wash station or Common area outside cubicles visible to passers by
WORLD BEST PRACTICES Apply CPTED siting principals along with maximum spacing Materials resistant to vandalism Materials and surfaces target hardened Removal of graffiti made easy Replace damaged surfaces easily and inexpensively Use graffiti removal chemicals without damaging surfaces Maintain toilets in as highest possible standard Contractual KPI s established, monitored and enforced Strategy, budget, people and systems supporting desired outcome Regular, frequent attendance for maintenance and cleaning Conventional Public Toilets up to 3 times per day Automated Public Toilets every 2 nd day or daily
WORLD TOILET ORGANISATION Toilet Associations in many countries including Australian Toilet Organisation (the other ATO) General Aims of ATO: Improve public toilet design and construction Promote education to the public in toilet use Association of manufacturers and maintenance companies Drive improve maintenance and cleansing with Local Government & Contractors Promote attendance at World Toilet Organization Summits Promote awareness UN Millennium Goal of lack of basic sanitation in underdeveloped countries World Toilet Summit 22nd-25th November 2011 at Haikou, Hainan Province, China World Toilet Day 19 th November