DRY TOILET 2009

The communal courtyard of Annikinkatu

Annikinkatu quarter is the only inhabited closed courtyard block in the city of Tampere. Entering the shared courtyard of Annikki feels like stepping back in time to a village community. The charming old wooden houses, pretty flower beds and the outdoor toilets build up a picture of a lifestyle that does not exist in the asphalted yards of the concrete blocks nearby.

History

Annikinkatu was built in the turn of the 20th century. The colourful history includes surviving the civil war in 1918 and living through the 2nd world war. Its history has also involved a constant struggle for the conservation of the houses. In the 1960s, the city first decided to turn the wooden quarter into a concrete block. Annikki survived, because the city scheduled a park instead of buildings to replace it. Ever since the city has constantly tried to tear down the block. In year 2001 the city council finally decided to reverse the decision from the 1960's and protect the historically important buildings. The making of the new city plan for the block and the sale of the estate to private owners has, however, taken a long while and the process is still pending. In the meantime, Community Living association of Tampere region has rented the place to keep it in some shape. Today 10 of the 30-40 apartments are lived in while waiting for the final decision. A few of the apartments have dry toilets and there is a joint outhouse in the courtyard.

"Courtyard of Possibilities"

While waiting for the decision from the higher court the Community Living association of Tampere region together with the cultural association Annikin Tähti are making plans for the future. The possibilities exist to build an ecological city community together with a rich cultural life. Dry sanitation could be an option for the community if all future residents can be convinced of its benefits and logistic problems with the excreta can be solved.

Pictures

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