North American cities aren't built around the homeless epidemic they've succumbed to. This means basic amenities to provide any leisurely stroller some comfort has been removed entirely from the public to do two things. One, to inconvenience the homeless and discourage loitering and another is to reassure the middle class that councils are working towards reducing the homeless issue and the problems they create. However during my time as a vagabond, I see the necessity of public fountains, benches and public toilets as a necessity of any city regardless of the dregs that float through them or call it their home.
Homelessness creates a vacuum of time filled usually by drugs and alcohol, so that means our tempered spirits have become hardened to the daily life of what the streets toss. No toilet? Problems weren't, go shit or piss wherever. Cops catch you? It's don't since there aren't enough people to stop a junky's need to soil the pavement we all travel. No water? Better harass the local restaurant that's dealt with thousands of junk users trying to shoot up in their toilets or spray diarrhea all over their walls.
I've seen some shit man.