The lack of accessible public toilets is a serious but often overlooked social issue. It limits mobility, excludes people from public life, and disproportionately affects older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and anyone managing health conditions. For many, it means planning their day around toilets — or avoiding the city altogether.

We address toilet accessibility as an urban, social, and dignity-related issue, combining research, advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, and public awareness. Our work aims to shift the conversation from ad-hoc solutions to the need for city-wide toilet strategies developed jointly by local governments and businesses.

• Initiated and coordinated the “Get It Done in the City” campaign to rapidly increase access to toilets through cooperation with public institutions and private venues (cafés, restaurants).
• Organised a city-level conference (May 2024, ZODIAK – Warsaw Pavilion of Architecture) bringing together public officials, urban planners, activists, medical professionals, researchers, and business owners.
• Commissioned and presented research on toilet exclusion and public attitudes towards access to toilets in Polish cities.
• Developed a visible signage system (campaign sticker) to indicate publicly accessible toilets.

• Built a cross-sector coalition around the issue of toilet accessibility in Warsaw.
• Introduced toilet accessibility into public debate and policy discussions at city and district levels.
• Published a research report documenting the scale and social impact of toilet exclusion.
• Enabled dozens of additional toilets to become available to residents in a short time through voluntary participation.

Access to a clean, safe toilet is a matter of dignity, inclusion, and the right to the city.
The project reframed toilets as essential urban infrastructure and demonstrated that systemic change requires political will, cooperation across sectors, and a clear strategy. It opened the door to treating toilet accessibility as a core element of inclusive urban policy.

City of Warsaw · Bureau of Architecture and Spatial Planning · researchers, medical professionals, cultural institutions, and local businesses

→ Project website: www.zalatwtonamiescie.pl
→ Research report (PDF): 
→ Media coverage

https://wyborcza.pl/AkcjeSpecjalne/7,166371,28640933,kapitula-konkursu-zaprojektowane-po-ludzku-marta-trakul.html
https://www.wysokieobcasy.pl/wysokie-obcasy/7,163229,28817816,tamtego-dnia-wolal-nie-wracac-do-domu-komunikacja-miejska-pozwal.html
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=334144914871401

https://weekend.gazeta.pl/weekend/7,177334,29760026,znikaja-z-naszych-ulic-niepostrzezenie-jedna-po-drugiej-toalety.html