Tuesday, June 16, 2009

exploring the changing urban landscape - the urilift

Most major cities with an entertainment district face the issue of public urination. It is a problem brought on by the lack of public toilets and club goers relieving themselves in inappropriate places.

Here in Victoria BC local retailers are suffering the consequences (odour) that public urination produces.

The public toilet is an unsightly blemish on the urban landscape.
They are generally disliked by local residents and retailers, require an attendant during peak hours,
and are a target for vandals.

Are more public toilets the answer ? Where do we put them ?

The solution to urban public toilet design...........


"The Urilift is placed where it is needed: at hot spots in entertainment districts, for instance. Three people can use the urinals in the attractively styled stainless steel cylinder at the same time without seeing or being bothered by each other. The Urilift is only above ground when it is needed. For the rest of the time, it is completely hidden underground." via uralift.com



BENEFITS
respects the street landscape
Semi-permanent structure that can be moved if the public area is to be redesigned
Usable at the right time and the right place
Easy to operate by any attendant
These covers are designed to withstand traffic class 45 and come in 200 colours
If desired the existing paving can be used to achieve a fully integrated result - via uralift.com



Retailers and local residents hardly ever object to the Urilift, because it is only above ground during the busiest times. That makes the choice of location much less complicated. A fast-track construction procedure is possible. The Urilift can be installed quickly without causing any significant nuisance to local residents. - via urlift.com


There has been plenty media attention surrounding the Urilifts arrival to Victoria,
but when will its presence grace our downtown core and relieve the pressure being put on our local residents and retailers doorways?

9 comments:

  1. I think these are a great solution to public urination!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's certainly a challenge...the stalls in Amsterdam's streets are stinky and quite public. I wonder if there is a way for business stratas and government to integrate these as permanent buildings with plumbing that could compliment the architecture of their business and area.

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a good idea. the cost of having attendants must pose some issue. public urination is community issue that needs to be addressed. this is one of the best ideas ive seen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Do you really think that the type of men who urinate in the street will patiently wait for that stuff to pop up in a chic cityscape???! I mean this is hilarious ,,,

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think it is a great (aesthetic) solution to a major problem in big cities. But as Zelda said would these men wait for it to lift?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aesthetically, this is an amazing sight. But how is the privacy of it? I would wait for the bathroom to appear, but is it worth it?

    Nicolette
    http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just to clarify......the urilift is raised by an attendant in the early evening.
    It is then above ground for the duration of the night where partygoers are able to access the facility.
    An attendant typically returns in the AM to clean and lower the urilift back into the ground.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009

    I saw one of these when I stepped out of the Palace Theatre in London. It took me a minute to figure it out, as no one was using it at the time. I was certain that it had not been there when I when in to the show. I went back the next day and saw the circle on the pavement, but no other sign.

    I think it's a brilliant idea, as yobs don't always care where and in front of whom they relieve themselves. The way it's designed, more modest men can easily conceal themselves just by leaning forward. It did make me curious to see one in use.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMay 08, 2012

    What about those who prefer a little privacy and do not enjoy making an exhibition of themselves

    ReplyDelete