This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/18/sydney-spends-pennies-public-toilets

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sydney spends its pennies in pursuit of the perfect public porcelain Sydney spends its pennies in pursuit of the perfect public porcelain
(2 months later)
It is a standard that many global cities long to reach, but so few manage to attain: an accessible and clean public toilet infrastructure. Associated readily with drug abuse, clandestine sex and poor hygiene, public loos are often the last place many people wish to visit.It is a standard that many global cities long to reach, but so few manage to attain: an accessible and clean public toilet infrastructure. Associated readily with drug abuse, clandestine sex and poor hygiene, public loos are often the last place many people wish to visit.
And so it must come as a relief for Sydney dwellers to hear of a new $8.3m dollar investment plan to rejuvenate the city’s public toilets. Under the ambitious new plan announced by the city council, people in the centre of town should not have to walk any further than 400 metres to find a loo open to the public. In addition, the scheme will encourage local businesses to open up their toilets, and employ a London-inspired “pop-up” urinal scheme, under which facilities rise from the ground as night sets in.And so it must come as a relief for Sydney dwellers to hear of a new $8.3m dollar investment plan to rejuvenate the city’s public toilets. Under the ambitious new plan announced by the city council, people in the centre of town should not have to walk any further than 400 metres to find a loo open to the public. In addition, the scheme will encourage local businesses to open up their toilets, and employ a London-inspired “pop-up” urinal scheme, under which facilities rise from the ground as night sets in.
The plan also includes a rigorous cleaning scheme, and the demolition of older toilet blocks to make way for 15 new facilities. A new smartphone app to help locate the nearest facility will be developed as well.The plan also includes a rigorous cleaning scheme, and the demolition of older toilet blocks to make way for 15 new facilities. A new smartphone app to help locate the nearest facility will be developed as well.
Despite the well trodden narrative of public loos as hotbeds of bacteria, there are some that stand as bastions of public design, overlook dramatic landscape, or allow the user a new perspective on relieving their bladder.Despite the well trodden narrative of public loos as hotbeds of bacteria, there are some that stand as bastions of public design, overlook dramatic landscape, or allow the user a new perspective on relieving their bladder.
Take, for example, the public toilet on the Aurland lookout in Norway. A specially designed cabin protrudes from a cliff face and allows you to urinate whilst admiring the snow-topped mountains and icy lakes through a carefully positioned window.Take, for example, the public toilet on the Aurland lookout in Norway. A specially designed cabin protrudes from a cliff face and allows you to urinate whilst admiring the snow-topped mountains and icy lakes through a carefully positioned window.
Or, if Scandinavian panoramas aren’t your thing, how about making public art? In 2004, artist Monica Bonvicini installed a public toilet outside the Tate gallery in London. It allowed the users to see passersby through a one-way mirror as they enjoyed the cold metal feel of a prison-style toilet. An inversion, so the artist said, of philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s theory of surveillance.Or, if Scandinavian panoramas aren’t your thing, how about making public art? In 2004, artist Monica Bonvicini installed a public toilet outside the Tate gallery in London. It allowed the users to see passersby through a one-way mirror as they enjoyed the cold metal feel of a prison-style toilet. An inversion, so the artist said, of philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s theory of surveillance.
In Japan, games company Sega experimented with urine-controlled computer games in some metro station public toilets. Sensors at the base of the urinals gauged a player’s strength and trajectory of stream while playing games including a firehose simulation where the player wipes graffiti from messy walls. The urinals or “Toylets” as they are described, are now on sale to the general public.In Japan, games company Sega experimented with urine-controlled computer games in some metro station public toilets. Sensors at the base of the urinals gauged a player’s strength and trajectory of stream while playing games including a firehose simulation where the player wipes graffiti from messy walls. The urinals or “Toylets” as they are described, are now on sale to the general public.
But even before Sydney undergoes its public toilet transformation, there are already some decent spots in the city to use the loo. Think about the public toilets amid the horticulture of the Royal Botanic Gardens, or even at Museum station, which maintain some of the heritage building’s original features.But even before Sydney undergoes its public toilet transformation, there are already some decent spots in the city to use the loo. Think about the public toilets amid the horticulture of the Royal Botanic Gardens, or even at Museum station, which maintain some of the heritage building’s original features.
Tell us about some of the best facilities you’ve used in the past. Do you have an experience to better Japan’s Toylets? Have you used facilities in a place more picturesque than the mountains of Norway? Tell us about some of the best facilities you’ve used in the past. Do you have an experience to better Japan’s Toylets? Have you used facilities in a place more picturesque than the mountains of Norway? 
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.