KL public showers could make active lifestyles easier for working women, says Hannah Yeoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Women working in Kuala Lumpur could be among the biggest beneficiaries of better public shower facilities, as the city moves to improve basic amenities through an architectural design competition.

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said public showers could provide women with a more comfortable place to freshen up before work, particularly as Kuala Lumpur makes greater use of its green and recreational spaces.

“Obviously, we want it to be (ready by) next year. This public shower facility is very important for women. Women who work and need showers need a place to take a shower before they go to work.

“So, with a more comfortable facility, it will help women who want to take a shower before going to work to live a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Yeoh was speaking at the appreciation and prize-giving ceremony for the Kuala Lumpur public toilet and shower design competition, jointly organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), here today.

The competition was divided into two categories — a professional category for Site 1 in Bukit Bintang and a student category for Site 2 at Padang Merbok.

DBKL said the competition was aimed at generating new ideas for public toilets and shower spaces, taking into account functionality, user comfort, safety, sustainability and operational and maintenance requirements.

Yeoh said the designs would also have to ensure that the facilities could be properly maintained, stressing that even good facilities would serve little purpose if they were not kept in working order.

“We are focusing a lot on the green areas, the field areas, the utilisation of the green areas and the field areas.

“After that, we need to make sure that the basic facilities, such as the shower facility, are running smoothly. If not, no one will use it,” she said.

She said users would be charged the standard DBKL fee for using the facilities, while urging them not to waste water.

“It’s nominal in KL. As long as they don’t waste water,” she said.

Yeoh said involving both professionals and university students in the competition allowed different groups to contribute ideas towards the future development of the city.

She highlighted the student proposal for one of the sites, saying its design sought to address two needs in a single building — providing public toilets and showers as well as a viewing deck.

“Development of the city needs to involve professionals because they will have different standards.

“Also, when the competition involves university students, it gives room to the younger generation to design the city they want in the future,” she said.

The winning designs are intended to serve as references for future public facility projects, although DBKL said any adoption of the proposals would remain subject to technical suitability, cost, operational and maintenance requirements, and approval from the relevant authorities.

The competition was advertised by PAM on June 22, with entries closing on August 10. Final evaluation and judging took place on August 19, with design concept, innovation, sustainability, cost and compliance with authority requirements among the criteria considered.