Portland's Public Restrooms: The Problem with the Portland Loos

Source: https://portlandloo.com/

Public space and facilities that can be accessed by anyone are an essential part of a socially just city. People should be able to do things like use the restroom while they’re out without having to pay money to do so, and this is especially relevant for homeless people who may only have the option of using a public restroom. These restrooms should thus be designed in a way that ensures privacy and dignity for those who need to use them. Unfortunately, the public restrooms here in Portland, known as the Portland Loos, are very flawed in this respect.

The Portland Loos are recognizable as stainless steel kiosks typically placed in well-trafficked areas, like along sidewalks. While they’re serviceable in many ways, the main problem comes into play when considering the open grating at the top and bottom of the structures. These allow people outside to see whether someone is in the Loo or not, and while the grating isn’t directly eye-level with the toilet, it wouldn’t be difficult for someone to use this grating to look in on someone using the restroom. This is a serious issue when it comes to the safety and dignity of those who need to use these toilets. The Portland Loo’s website claims that they’re designed this way to discourage crime, but is it worth it when it comes at such a cost to the vulnerable people who are supposed to be served by these facilities?

The biggest problem with the grating is also how unsafe it makes these bathrooms for women. While they clearly are not a very dignified way for anyone to take care of their bodily needs, the design of a facility like this needs to pay particular attention to whether women will be able to make use of it or not. As it is, the open grating makes it very easy for a man to a spy on a woman using the restroom and even record her. This makes the Portland Loos an unsafe option for women on the street. Any service or facility that is designed for homeless people but fails to take into account the needs of homeless women is really only for homeless men.

If you want to learn more about how bathrooms can be designed to be safe and usable for women, you can read an article about it here.

 

 

Source: https://portlandloo.com/