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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
D. Statistics from commercial areas reveal that:
(1) The number of male users is slightly higher than that of female users at a ratio of 1.7:1;
(2) 80% of male users visit the toilet for urination;
(3) The percentages of users having to wait are: 1.9% for male for urination, 1.4% for male for defecation and 4.3% for female;
(4) The overall usage rate is the highest among the four areas.
Improvements can be made by increasing the number of cubicles in both the male and female toilets and by extending the urinal trough in the male toilets.
E. Statistics from residential areas reveal that:
(1) The number of male users are three times that of female users;
(2) There is quite a large number of users;
(3) Over 76% of the male users visit the toilets for urination;
(4) The percentages of users having to wait are: 0.8% for male for urination, 0.1% for male for defecation, and 0.4% for female.
The waiting situation is acceptable probably because these public toilets are located near residential buildings which have their own toilets.
F. Concert Hall in Hong Kong Cultural Centre (no data available from the survey):
The situation is similar to that of the tourist sightseeing areas. As people who visit the toilet come at the same time and have to finish within the short intermission for each performance, it is inevitable that all toilet users will have to wait, especially for ladies. To improve the situation, we should increase the number of cubicles in the female toilet beyond the ratio of 4:6 and extend the urinal trough in the male toilet.
In conclusion, when designing a public toilet, in order to reduce the likelihood of waiting, it is necessary to take into account the circumstances of individual cases. We must not simply stick to a certain ratio and apply it as panacea to all toilets. Instead, we should consider some practical factors such as:
(1) the proportion of male to female users;
(2) the specific district where the public toilets are located;
(3) the time required for male and female users to go to the toilet;
(4) the ratio of urination to defecation;
(5) the weather, the season as well as the design of garments which may affect the time required to dress and undress;
(6) the pressure from sudden increase of toilet users (at tourist spots and during intermission of performance at cultural presentation venues).
Ms. Grace Au Yuk-har's question seems to imply that only female users have to wait for their turn in the use of public toilets. This is not the case.
£185