In this episode of The Sidewalk Ballet, Chip is joined by Lezlie Lowe, journalist and author of No Place to Go, for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most essential—and most ignored—elements of city life: public bathrooms. What begins as a seemingly simple question about access quickly unfolds into a deeper exploration of gender equity, disability access, public health, privatization, and dignity in public space.

Drawing on research and reporting from cities around the world, Lezlie traces how historical decisions, cultural norms, and policy gaps have shaped who gets to move freely through a city—and who has to plan their day around the nearest restroom. Along the way, the conversation touches on gender parity and the “urinary leash,” access for unhoused neighbors, the absence of legal requirements for cities to provide public toilets, and the growing role of private businesses and BIDs in filling a public gap. From Tokyo’s carefully designed public restrooms to Vienna’s human-centered approach and San Francisco’s Pit Stop program, this episode reframes bathrooms not as an afterthought, but as a powerful lens for understanding how cities care for the people who use them.

We also Visit Portland Maine and talk with Cary Tyson about Portland Downtown’s Public Bathroom Master Plan.

Plus we grab a burger in a converted Bathroom with Curious Claire.

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And just in case you want more content about Public Bathrooms in cities, check out this great pod from our friends at We are City People.

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Episode Links

Lezlie Lowe

Portland Maine - Restroom Master Plan

Curious Claire - Would you eat from a Converted Toilet?

London Loo Tours

Bowl Plaza - Lucas Kansas

Hundertwasser Toilets - New Zealand

Tokyo Toilet Project