Disasters can strike unexpectedly, affecting lives greatly. That's why individuals and cities need to be prepared. Cities can boost their resilience by improving infrastructure like evacuation routes, gathering points, and communication systems. Gathering areas are vital before and after disasters, and innovative designs, such as hybrid urban furniture, can enhance their functionality.
One of the essential needs following a disaster is access to proper sanitation facilities. Major natural disasters can lead to power outages, water supply disruptions, and damage to plumbing systems in homes and evacuation centers, rendering toilets unusable. Hence, there is a need for standalone toilet solutions in gathering areas, separate from the regular urban infrastructure.
Gyosen Park, Tokyo, Japan. Source: https://www.expedia.com/Gyosen-Park-Edogawa.d553248621562274519.Vacation-Attraction
Tokyo, known for its resilience to natural disasters, has integrated manhole toilets into its city parks. Manhole toilets operate by attaching modular toilets to pre-installed manholes in the event of a disaster. There are two types of manhole toilets based on their operational principles. The first is the "Direct Connection Type," which connects directly to the sewage pipe and serves as a temporary toilet for use during major natural disasters. In addition to the "Direct Connection Type," manhole toilets also include a "Storage Tank" model that can store liquid waste and cleaning water for up to three days. This model functions independently within its system when the city's sewage system is not operational.
Efforts to enhance manhole toilets for safety and comfort persist through innovations in underground piping, private tent designs, modular toilets, and security lighting.
(1) "Direct Connection Type" manhole toilets (2) "Storage Tank Type" manhole toilets.
Tokyo public parks are prepared for the next natural disaster (2020) Spoon & Tamago. Available at: https://www.spoon-tamago.com/tokyo-public-parks-disaster-preparedness/ (Accessed: 24 October 2023).
Offering peace of mind intimes of disaster:The case formanhole toilets: Kubota Stories (no date) Kubota Global Site. Available at: https://www.kubota.com/kubotastories/manhole-emergency-toilet/index.html (Accessed: 24 October 2023).
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