The best seat in town
a day ago
- #public toilets
- #urban infrastructure
- #street furniture
- JCDecaux, a French company, pioneered street furniture including self-cleaning public toilets, which were first launched in 1980 and are now in 28 countries.
- In preparation for the Olympics, Paris installed 417 new self-cleaning toilets in 18 months, increasing total capacity with a design featuring a cabin and urinal.
- The self-cleaning process includes automatic disinfection of the bowl and floor after each use, providing a hygienic experience akin to high-end facilities.
- While San Francisco successfully adopted JCDecaux toilets through a cost-free advertising-based model, LA's public bathroom program has stalled, with most units closed.
- Paris's street furniture extends beyond toilets to include well-maintained bus shelters with real-time arrivals and greenery, enhancing urban aesthetics and functionality.
- JCDecaux manages over 4,000 sidewalk objects in Paris, integrating advertising in a regulated, non-intrusive way that balances commercial and public interests.
- The company emphasizes designing street furniture to fit into cities aesthetically and functionally, as seen in historical elements like Morris columns updated for modern use.
- LA lags behind in street infrastructure, with limited progress on bus shelters and bathrooms, despite the potential benefits for public convenience and urban vibrancy.
- Public toilets in Paris serve as vital infrastructure, enhancing access for diverse groups like seniors, disabled commuters, and families, and becoming hubs of urban activity.