New eco-friendly urinals installed on the streets of Paris are causing an uproar among residents who are describing them as “immodest”, “ugly” and “destroying historic spots”.
These bright red “uritrottoirs” (a combination of the French words for urinal and pavement) are original, to say the least.
The exposed urinals have been designed to look like flower-boxes and are filled with straw which transforms into compost for use in parks and gardens.
Image: Facebook
The main problems locals have with them is that they are way too public and may encourage exhibitionism.
They also think that they look out of place.
The one installed on the Ile Saint-Louis, not far from Notre Dame cathedral and overlooking tourist boats passing on the Seine, has caused particular distress.
Image: Reuters
But you see, public peeing is a problem in Paris, and local Mayor Ariel Weil says these new urinals are merely a way to stop men weeing in the streets.
“If we don’t do anything, then men are just going to pee in the streets,.”
Local mayor Ariel Weil
He said the new installations simply offered an “eco solution to public peeing”.
Paris authorities have rolled out four of the stand-up loos in spots where public peeing has been a problem, and a fifth is planned.
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