Post #1480071

2026-03-30 20:30 UTC

@NatalyaD There's a concept in civil engineering history known as the "urinary leash". Essentially, if you can prevent people from peeing then they will self segregate. This isn't some obscure detail, this is first year landscape architecture. In the US this has been used as far back as Jim Crowe. Today we see this in paid urinals, trans bathroom bills, and hostile design against the unhoused or inebriated.

Replies (4)

@NatalyaD@disabled.social 2026-03-30 21:36

@Stabbi I have heard of the term and yes it's very appropriate. Victorian women were tied to home or similar because there weren't public toilets or it wasn't socially acceptable for them to use them. I am sure we could find evidence of this for any made-marginalised group, women, Black people, disabled people, trans/queer folk and so on. We must resist it. Or have a mass piss in!

Open ##1480072
@Su_G@aus.social 2026-03-30 22:26

@Stabbi Now I’ve heard of everything (referring to the “urinary leash” concept). What does it say about Australia that we had projects to employ the unemployed to build public toilets during economic downturns & that we maintain a public toilet map so you can find the nearest one to you? 🤔⁉️

Open ##1480073
@Asbestos@pnw.zone 2026-03-30 22:26

@Stabbi @NatalyaD What do you mean by self segregate? The people who can leave will leave as they need to pee and the other people will just avoid the area?

Open ##1480075
@n_dimension@infosec.exchange 2026-03-30 22:41

@NatalyaD @Stabbi Those lovely parapets in old buildings? Yeah, "urine deflectors" splashing on your shoes if you piss against the wall. #architecture

Open ##1480078