CHAPTER 10 - UNIVERSAL URBAN DESIGN: DISTRICS LEVEL --- TOILET BLOCK POSITIONING --- * PRIDE OF PLACE Site appraisal should be carried out All the art and science and acumulated knowledge of civic design should be applied to the public toilets because they are important urban artefacts in their own right . But this should be applied to the initial decision-making process that detarmine where tey will be located and in what numbers. The principles of urban design in respect of 'where to put the toilet' neet to be applied in relation to the ' morphology' (form) and 'armature' (structure) of the area in question (Greed and Roberts, 1998:34) Designers should be able to 'read' the urban area, to identify the key features, nodal points (sõlmpunktid), edges, barriers and characteristics that affect pedestrian movement and give it its character and overall ambience. How to catch users? - Toilets should be proudly PLACE OUT IN THE OPEN and NOT HIDDEN but THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED. - Toilets should be located in central public thoroughfares and squares, in OPEN WELL-LIT areas, and people should be proud of them as a part of urban space. - Toilet designers should consider the way in which the toilet block complements or clashes with surrounding buildings, whether is completes a vist, fills in a gap or creates an out-of place eyesore. * ACCESS AND SITING Ideally all toilets should be positioned: - on the level, not down the steps, only accessible through vandalised lifts or up-soaked urine steps. Toilets should be made visible, in maps and on the streets. Increased footflow past the toilet is likely to reduce bad things and and increase the use. Good footpath links to tourist coach pick-up points, bus stops, pedestrian crossings and car parking. NOT PLACES on dangerous traffic islands. To enable people to get to the toilet, PATHS should be at lease 2000mm WIDE to facilitate two pushchairs or a family. Natural ventilation might be improved by careful siting in relation to predominant wind direction. Freezinf pipes and wind. not too much direct sunlight in terms of the smell and hygiene. Moslems (toilets should not face or back to Mecca). * CRIME PREVETION CONSIDERATIONS - no blind corners, dark alleys or tall bushes screening toilets. CAREFUL MANAGEMENT. - good lightinh both inside and outside - entrance towards the main road and whole building surrounded by paving - CIRCULATION ZONE: so people don't have to wait on the streets or don't have to leave their pushchair, suitcase or dog there. - Visual perception of people entering (views in and out, issues of privacy, visibility and surveillance). Many women are wary of exiting APC's straight on the street, and the inclusion of a spy whole which would enable them to see if anyone is lurking outside, as found in some Far East toilet doors, would be a good idea. - natural surveillance - neighbours, people on the streets, parking cars etc. * SIGNAGE Ideally there should be a natural flow of pedestrian movement as people find toilets where they traditionally and intuitively expect them to be located. Adequate signage. A list of facilities avaliable. * PARKING AND TRAFFIC CONTROL At least 3 short term parking facilities should be provided. Toilets should be integrated into the modern street pattern and into traffic management policy. Barriers for children not to run on the road etc. Bicycle racks should be provied on the outside walls and for dogs to be tetherded. Dog water bowl? 1500mm wheelchair turning space. Reception? * VALUING TOILETS Apart from the anture aof the design and location, much depends upon the ATTITUDES and 'TOILET CULTURE' OF USERS AND PROVIDERS, and this is reflected in the amount of money, care and commitment and respect they five to public toilets. In such a society buildings and services which meet the excretory needs of its citizens would be respected landmarks and sources of civic pride, not underfunded, vandalised ruins, and those who addressed these issues woule be respected.