Planning for Women and other Disenabled Groups, with Reference to the Provision of Public Toilets in Britain

In this paper the reasons why it is proving so difficult to implement enabling policies to make urban space more accessible for women and other disenabled groups, with particular reference to the provision of public toilets in Britain, are investigated. Toilet provision is described, and factors are identified which have contributed to the situation, with reference to the governmental, professional, and organisational context. Alternative approaches to implementation are considered and examples are drawn from North American zoning-based systems. Although land-use zoning has a reputation for being socially divisive it is argued that zoning ordinance systems can be used constructively as a means of achieving social provision such as toilet facilities. It is concluded that, although it is important to solve existing problems by modifying existing urban structures, a more radical reconceptualisation of the city is needed to meet the needs of the majority of its users. To achieve this there is a need for a change in the subcultural values of the decisionmakers and for governmental support.