Few things are as unpleasant as approaching a public place and discovering the aroma of another human being's discharges. The St. Pauli neighborhood in Hamburg is known for its red-light district and constant nightlife, but the many "calls of nature" that its visitors answer on every wall have created a chronic problem. The answer? A hydrophobic coating to return the favor.
A Chronic Urban Problem
In theory, every city should have a network of public restrooms, but in practice, the story is quite different. A person in control of their biological faculties can simply hold it in for a while or make a quick visit to equipped facilities (for example, shopping centers) to solve the problem. However, if that person has consumed a significant amount of alcohol, they are likely to feel the need to release half of the Atlantic Ocean. Multiply this situation by 20 million, which is the number of visitors the St. Pauli neighborhood in Hamburg receives each year. Known for its bars, clubs, and a certain red-light district of wide repute, St. Pauli faces a very particular challenge: preventing itself from becoming a giant urinal.
A Hydrophobic Revenge
With that in mind, the community group IG St. Pauli decided to turn to a technological solution. After identifying the most problematic spots (some exposed homes, walls, posts, access tunnels, etc.), they decided to cover them with Ultra-Ever Dry, a hydrophobic coating that we have mentioned in the past. The idea is that the "transgressor" gets the surprise of seeing their urine bounce off the wall and ending up covered in it. The community has tried warnings and fines, but nothing worked until now. Some walls have warning signs about the hydrophobic effect, but others do not, which will prompt more than one colorful insult and wet pants.
Mixed Reactions
As expected, opinion on this defense mechanism is somewhat divided. The residents of St. Pauli were very positive about it, as they are tired of their streets and squares turning into makeshift bathrooms, while the owners of nightlife establishments feel some concern because those who cause the problem in the first place are the same ones who spend millions of euros a year on drinks, parties, and the "company" of certain ladies. Setting that aside... we cannot deny that it is ingenious.
Source: PopSci
