Portland's progressive urbanism - from its smart growth restrictions, to its revived historic Pearl District and bicycle infrastructure - are the envy of cities across America. Could the city's new sustainable public toilet be its next export?
Kim Murphy reports on the Portland Loo, the city's high-minded rethink of the lowly public toilet. "The solar-powered, 6-by-101/2 -foot street-corner cabin, ingeniously
stripped of much of its plumbing and privacy, has been installed at six
locations around Portland, from the city's dodgiest centers for the
homeless to an upscale waterfront where stay-at-home moms take their
children to play," notes Murphy.
"So well has it eased into the urban landscape
that Portland is looking to build and market Loos across the continent,
hoping the profits will allow for the construction and maintenance of
more at home. San Diego, Vancouver, Houston, Baltimore and Seattle all
have expressed interest."
Thanks to Daniel Lippman
FULL STORY: Portland Loo, a public toilet that skips to the head of its class
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