Public Toilets: Determinant of the Progress of Civilization and Consciousness of Societies or a Necessary Evil?

Abstract

Public toilets evoke negative associations among the majority of their users. Due to doubtful sanitary and aesthetic conditions the use of public restrooms is often an extreme experience. Also, the design of these places is regarded as a necessary evil by architects. It seems, therefore, that public toilets are doomed to eternal disgrace. But they do not have to be uncomfortable, unpleasant and unfriendly. Public toilets can bring relief to a community not only in one obvious way, so not only by meeting the basic requirements in terms of human rights to sanitation. If they are rightly included in the structure of the environment, properly located, marked, well-organized and designed can provide much more benefits. These objects may allow greater use of public spaces, preserving their proper functioning, cleanliness and aesthetics. They can also increase foot traffic in commercial areas affecting the improvement of the local economies, support local recreation and entertainment, and better use of green areas. However, the lack of adequate amount of toilets, wrong location and arrangement, poor organization, lack of efficient operation, low level of hygiene, as well as vandalism and other antisocial behavior may negate the benefits of public toilets. Such public toilets may become unusable or their usefulness may be limited. But breaking all stereotypes - public toilets do not have to be a nightmare for users, and they can use them with pleasure. Also the design of these places can be an interesting experience, occasion to demonstrate ingenuity and skills and at the same time a source of prestige for architects. Public toilets can even become a tourist attraction. If we want to prevent that the public toilets are the reason for resentment and shame, we can’t be afraid and ashamed to undertake this issue.