Paris 鈥榚co-friendly鈥� public urinal causing controversy
A new public 鈥渆co-friendly鈥� urinal in Paris is causing controversy after residents have complained about its placement next to a 17th century hotel, in the historic area of 葕le Saint-Louis.
The mayor of the 4th arrondissement has now stated that the urinal will be moved early next month.
The urinal, which appeared in late July, is one of four 鈥渆co-friendly, Uritrottoir ('urinal' + 'pavement')鈥� devices to have been installed across Paris in recent months.
Designed in Nantes, they are bright red, and work by absorbing liquid with a mixture of straw and wood chips - in the same way as a composting toilet. The whole thing is then covered with 鈥済arden-like鈥� vegetation in a bid to make it look more like a flower pot than a toilet.
The urinals are then signposted with a white label reading 鈥淯ritroittoir鈥�.
However, this location in particular from locals, with a petition against it now being circulated.
Its public site close to the historic, 17th century Hotel de Lut猫ce, has proved especially controversial, prompting tourists to take humorous photos.
Speaking to : 鈥淚t allows a man to go to the bathroom in front of everyone. Also, it is likely to give off bad odours. It sends out a really bad image of Paris.鈥�
Another resident : 鈥淚 like to walk a lot round here, so these Uritroittoirs - they are in rather poor taste. Nature calls, I know, but still.鈥�
One male tourist : 鈥淔or men it鈥檚 good, but when there are people around, it鈥檚 awkward. I personally would not use it.鈥�
Laurence Parisot, former president of employee group le MEDEF, notably tweeted her displeasure at the urinal鈥檚 appearance. She sarcastically questioned the nature of this 鈥渧ery elegant, new Parisian stupidity鈥�, and posted a photo highlighting the urinal鈥檚 very public location.
The Paris Mairie had seen the new public urinals as a means to help clean up the city, but Ariel Weil, mayor of the 4th arrondissement has conceded to the unpopularity of their current locations.
He : 鈥淲e will move these urinals. We can find a better spot for them. They will be moved by a few meters [to a less-public area]. We are in touch with residents.鈥�
The 4th arrondissement council is set to meet with the Paris Mairie at the beginning of September to find a more suitable, less public location.
