Street furniture refers to the objects and structures placed along sidewalks, roadsides, public parks, and other outdoor spaces. These fixtures are designed to provide a range of functional and aesthetic benefits to communities. From outdoor advertising to public seating, urban design to city branding, street furniture plays an important role in shaping the look and feel of our urban environments. In this post, we'll explore what street furniture is, its benefits, common types, and more.
What is Street Furniture?
Street furniture is a term used to describe a range of objects and structures placed in outdoor public spaces. These include benches, litter boxes, bike racks, bus shelters, public toilets, planters, signage, and more. Street furniture is designed to enhance the function of public spaces while improving their overall aesthetic appeal.
What Are The Benefits of Street Furniture?
There are many benefits associated with street furniture in today's modern cities:
- Improved functionality: Street furniture provides essential services such as seating areas for pedestrians or shade for outdoor cafes.
- Aesthetically pleasing: Street furniture can enhance the appearance of public spaces by providing attractive designs that contribute to the overall beauty of an area.
- Increased safety: Properly installed street furniture such as guardrails or bollards can help prevent accidents.
- Branding opportunities: A well-designed street furniture can create new and exciting ways for cities to welcome visitors or residents.
- Economic boost: Recent studies show that proper installation of street furniture has led to increased foot traffic in retail spaces.
What Are The Common Types of Street Furniture?
Street furniture comes in many different forms depending on its primary use:
- Outdoor Advertising (billboards)
- Public Seating (benches)
- Urban Design (street lighting)
- City Branding (monuments)
- Street Art (murals).
Where Can Street Furniture Be Found?
Street furniture can be found all over cities and towns, particularly in high-traffic areas where public spaces are essential.
Who Uses Street Furniture?
Street furniture is used by a diverse set of individuals ranging from commuters, tourists, residents, and shop-goers.
What Are The Latest Trends in Street Furniture?
- Environmental considerations: With the world's focus on sustainable design and production, street furniture now incorporates eco-friendly materials that reduce waste.
- Multifunctionality: Street furniture is increasingly serving multiple purposes such as public art pieces that also provide seating.
- Accessibility: New street furniture designs are making public spaces more accessible for people with disabilities.
References
- Gehl, J. (2013). Cities for people. Island Press.
- Lang, J., Desyllas, J., Zarecor, K., & Ruswick-Elliott, J. (2015). Public space and urban form: Generalization from the Streets of Paris and New York. Journal of Urban Design.
- Moughtin, C., Cuesta, R., & Sarris, A. (2017). Urban design: Method and techniques. Routledge.
- Reinders, M. J., & van der Voordt, T. J. (2017). Interior landscaping & indoor street furniture as a tool in developing an attractive work environment: A post-occupancy evaluation study of a Dutch regional police station. Journal of Environmental Psychology.
- Spence-Davies, H., Waring-Shepherd, E., & Di Marino-Krohnert Lisseck M.(2020) The Routledge Companion to Planning in the Global South.Routledge
