A network of barrier-free public restrooms approved in Odesa

Odesa has updated the list of public restrooms to include barrier-free access for people with disabilities. New facilities are planned to be built in the city center, parks, squares and on the coast.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Executive Committee of Odesa City Council.

The Executive Committee of the Odesa City Council has decided to amend the document that regulates the operation of the network of public toilets in the city. The amendments relate to the decision of August 28, 2014, No. 201 "On measures to improve the level of sanitary services for residents and guests of Odesa".

As stated in the decision, the update was adopted in accordance with the Laws of Ukraine "On Local Self-Government" and "On Improvement of Settlements". The goal is to ensure the creation of a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities and other low-mobility groups, as well as to improve the network of public toilets in different districts of Odesa.

The new version of Appendix No. 3 approves the updated location of public toilets, some of which will be equipped for the convenience of people with disabilities.

In particular, such toilets are provided in locations popular among Odesa residents and tourists:

• Primorsky Boulevard, in particular, near the Potemkin Stairs, the terraces of the slopes and the City Council building;
• Cathedral Square, Tiraspol Square, Italian Boulevard, Starobazarny Square, City Garden;
• Shevchenko Park, Peremohy Arboretum, Health Route, Arcadia, Oleksiyivska Square, Mykhailivskyi, Mechnikov, Akademik Korolyov squares, and others;
• also near Pryvokzalna Square, Stepan Oliynyk Descent, the 14th station of the Big Fountain and the memorial to the heroic defense of Odesa.

In August, the Odesa City Council was on the verge of failing the"Barrier-Free Odesa" program due to a scandal over the cost of inclusive toilets, which cost 5.7 million hryvnias each. It was the latter point that caused the most controversy - four automated restrooms are planned to be installed in 2025, and a total of 19 should appear in four years.

At the time, Int'l editor-in-chief Valeriy Bolgan, journalist Iryna Hryb, and city deputy Oleksandr Slavsky discussed the 600 million hryvnia loan, the controversy over the cost of inclusive restrooms, and the fulfillment of court requirements.

The inclusive modular toilets in the historic center of Odesa were scheduled to be installed in April. To protect the new property, the authorities promised increased control: each toilet will be equipped with video surveillance cameras connected to the Safe City system.

Анна Бальчінос