Published: Urban public health and walkability: advocating for more inclusive toilets

‘Urban public health and walkability: advocating for more inclusive toilets’ is live!

I wrote this Editorial, representing Pedestrian Space, together with Genevieve Mancuso, P.E., representing PHLUSH. The Editorial is part of the Cities & Health Special Issue ‘Walkability & Mobility Justice’ and hopefully is part of meaningful and necessary contributions to discourse, advocacy and research on prioritizing clean, safe, accessible public toilets in our communities.

In the editorial, we explore:
• Toilet equity as crucial for walkable communities
• Global insights on the provision of public toilets
• Improving restroom equity moving forward

Since I began writing & creating media on issues of toilet equity, I have always stressed that mere presence of public toilets is not enough (as many of us who have experienced a neglected, poorly maintained public toilet know). Issues of governance & maintenance are as critical as the existence of the toilets themselves.

I am glad to be able to offer this co-written editorial to contribute to the ongoing awareness shaping, education and policy influence we need to change the situation. Access to clean, safe, accessible public toilets is a common good and a critical public health issue that also has ramifications on people’s access to their community and supporting walkable lifestyless.