VOCAL-NY’s Post

I want to give kudos to the New York City Council on their new report "Examining the Conditions of City Parks Bathrooms" the findings backup what many of us have known all along including: Nearly 9% of the restrooms were closed during scheduled hours One in every nine stalls inspected by Council staff lacked functioning locks. 30% of restrooms did not have a garbage can. 10% percent of restrooms lacked soap, and 13% of stalls lacked toilet paper. Litter was observed in nearly 40% of all restrooms. 23% of restrooms had unsanitary conditions, such as bodily fluids on surfaces. Public restrooms are essential for many professionals who are out in the field including our truck drivers and delivery workers. This report is just the first step in the long overdue process of expanding clean, safe, and usable public restrooms throughout the city. https://lnkd.in/exud6XxV

The effort, called “Ur In Luck,” also includes a plan to build 46 new restrooms and renovate 36 of the city’s approximately 1,000 facilities over the next five years. #JLLgovernment #government #governmenttrends #futureofwork

City of Calgary #yyc ☆[]Jyoti Gondek[]☆ ☆☆☆☆☆ Article Resolution: Implementation of Nightly Cleaning Teams in Calgary Title: Implementation of Nightly Cleaning Teams for Enhanced Urban Cleanliness and Public Health ~Preamble~ Recognizing the need for maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy urban environment, this resolution proposes the establishment of nightly cleaning teams dedicated to pressure washing, air blowing, litter/garbage collection, and sidewalk/street sweeping throughout the City of Calgary. This initiative aims to improve the aesthetic appeal, public health, and overall quality of life in the city, ensuring that public spaces are well-maintained and inviting for all residents and visitors. Article 1: Establishment of Nightly Cleaning Teams 1.1 Formation of Cleaning Teams: The City of Calgary will form dedicated nightly cleaning teams responsible for carrying out comprehensive cleaning operations across the city. 1.2 Scope of Work: - Pressure Washing: Regular pressure washing of sidewalks, pedestrian zones, and public squares to remove dirt, grime, and stains. - Air Blowing: Use of air blowers to clear debris and dust from streets, sidewalks, and other public areas. - Litter/Garbage Collection: Systematic collection and disposal of litter and garbage from public spaces, including parks, bus stops, and streets. - Sidewalk/Street Sweeping: Nightly sweeping of sidewalks and streets to ensure they are free from debris and presentable. 1.3 Operational Hours: Cleaning operations will be conducted during nighttime hours to minimize disruption to daily activities and maximize efficiency. Article 2: Allocation of Resources 2.1 Funding: The City of Calgary will allocate necessary funds for the procurement of equipment, hiring of personnel, and operational costs associated with the cleaning teams. 2.2 Equipment: - Acquisition of high-pressure washers, air blowers, and street sweeping machines. - Provision of protective gear and safety equipment for cleaning team members. 2.3 Personnel: Recruitment and training of cleaning team members, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to perform their duties effectively. .....continued

Farewell the Ausie backyard in the sky. Mayor Frank Carbone made me smile this week. Lamenting the loss of the Ausie backyard ... when most new residents to our cities will at best have a courtyard in the sky. It also made me reflect on our obsession with the balcony.... legislated and protected in the ADG yet too often only used to dry laundry, mount air-conditioning and hot water systems and store junk. It's a poor substitute for the backyard. To think that with climate change these spaces will be too hot to use anyway for much of the year. It also got me thinking... after a chat with John Engeler earlier this week about the need for more flexible space for residents on low incomes. What if we allowed for balconies to be enclosed as wintergardens with high performance windows? How many extra rooms could we deliver? How many little studies or sewing rooms or utility rooms would we create that meet the multiple needs of real people? How much cooler and better insulated would our apartments be? Ross Harding ? MMC Clip-on wintergardens? At scale? No more bamboo screens! How much more life in public space would we see in our parks? We are in a crisis after all. We need to look beyond the backyard fence .

PSA: Chicago is FINALLY getting more public restrooms! The city confirmed that JCDecaux is to install 4️⃣ high-quality public restrooms, which are “ready for installation." 🏢 🌇 City Officials will pick locations based on central and highly trafficked neighborhoods and more details will be released soon, including timelines for when the bathrooms will be installed! ✅ Where do you think there needs to be a public restroom installed? Comment below: Compass #chicago #newsfeed #NewsUpdate #PublicHealth #parks #chicagorealestate #chicagonews #Update #PSA #chicagoland #realestateexpert #realtor #realtorlife #publicrelations

Reading about San Francisco's 'Toiletgate' really hit home for us at Looie. It's a vivid reminder of the challenges and red tape cities face in providing basic amenities like public restrooms. The story of a $1.7M toilet project stalling in Noe Valley, despite the community's clear need, is both frustrating and eye-opening. That's exactly where Looie steps in. Our self-contained units are built to bypass traditional hurdles, offering a swift, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative. We've designed Looie with the community in mind—easy to install, accessible to everyone, and kind to the planet. It's our answer to the pressing need for practical solutions that don't get bogged down by bureaucracy or break the bank. We believe that everyone deserves access to clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing restrooms, regardless of where they are. As we continue to grow, we're inspired by stories like these to push harder, innovate faster, and help cities overcome these seemingly intractable problems. Thank you Hamzah Ansari and Sam Daniel for sharing this article with us! #Looie #UrbanInnovation #CommunityFirst #EcoFriendlySolutions #AccessibilityMatters

The UK House of Lords Built Environment Committee has launched an inquiry into high streets. It aims to understand how to support high streets in our towns and small cities, and what uses can support local communities both economically and socially. Deadline 22 March for submissions. I think there may be an angle here around the availability and access to healthy high streets and health promoting uses on the high street, including food environment. I know Public Health England with UCL Institute of Health Equity, Royal Society for Public Health and NHS Confederation have published reports in the past. Relevant lines of inquiry include: - What should be included on high streets to meet the needs of the whole community? - What role does the planning process have in determining the success or failure of the high street locally and is it fully able to address the challenges high streets face? - What has been the impact of national level planning policies regarding high streets in the last five years and are any changes required? - What should be done to ensure that high streets being redeveloped now are structurally and financially resilient for future societal changes? - How can spatial planning, street design and layout help to drive greater footfall to high streets? #healthyhighstreets #healthyplaces https://lnkd.in/e8xmMGtu

Setting up a temporary home is about more than just arranging furniture—it's about creating a safe haven for families during challenging times. 🏠 Watch as our team transforms this once empty space into a warm, welcoming home.  #BehindTheScenes #HomeAwayFromHome #HousingDisplacement #corporatehousing #housingrelocation #louisville #louisvilleky

Pointless Parking Mandates Almost Killed a Food Hall in Pittsburgh 🚗 Did you know that parking regulations can have a major impact on the development of urban spaces? The recent struggle to convert a hotel in Pittsburgh into residential workforce housing is a prime example of this. Strict parking mandates almost killed the project entirely, highlighting the need for more flexible and adaptable regulations. As our cities continue to grow and evolve, it's crucial that we reassess these outdated regulations that hinder progress and limit affordable housing options. Let's work towards creating more livable and sustainable communities by rethinking our approach to parking mandates. 🌇 #UrbanDevelopment #AffordableHousing #SustainableCities #ParkingRegulations #FlexibleRegulations #StrongTowns 🏙️