Public Toilets Matter!

This chapter analyses an issue of major importance to all users of public spaces. Toilets with public access are commonly characterised by experiences that are unpleasant and insecure. The standard of facilities represents an excellent test of the quality of democratic governance, and this often-neglected area of place management requires a revolution in design and political commitment. In this policy domain, access, amenityPublic toiletsamenity, hygiene, privacy and safety constitute enmeshed categories. CPTEDCrime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) again provides a set of highly applicable techniques in combination with wider standards applied to comfort stops. VisibilityVisibility, imageImage, natural surveillance, guardianship, target hardening, entry control and assisting compliance all have direct relevance for a safe and happy toilet experience in a public location.