Street Furniture in Housing
Street furniture is an integral part of establishing a friendly and living neighborhood for inhabitants in urban design homes. Benches, tables, and seating places that are strategically arranged can create a handy and comfortable place for people to gather and socialize. Planters, green spaces, and other ornamental features can assist create an attractive environment and foster a sense of community pride and ownership.
Street furniture can also help to promote safety and security in urban settings. Adequate illumination, for example, can help reduce crime and make citizens feel safer when walking or biking through their communities. Benches and other seating places can also give a visible and welcome presence, encouraging people to stay and watch for suspicious activities.
In addition, street furniture can assist promote environmentally friendly mobility options, which is important for dwellings with an urban design. Residents may find it simpler to cycle to work or conduct errands with the help of bike racks and other cycling infrastructure, reducing their dependency on private vehicles and reducing traffic congestion and pollution. In turn, this may contribute to the development of a town that is easier to navigate on foot and where residents have a stronger sense of community.
Including benches and seating areas in houses is one example of good street furniture. Residents can relax and socialize on benches that provide a suitable spot to do so. In some circumstances, benches can be built with storage spaces for inhabitants’ bicycles or other belongings, making the space more useful and practical. A feeling of community and possibilities for social contact can be fostered by using seating places to establish gathering spots for locals, such as outdoor dining areas or fire pits.
The idea of “parklets” is an intriguing illustration of efficient street furniture in residential areas. Parking spaces or other vacant locations can be turned into mini parks to form parklets, which are compact public spaces. Seating areas, planters, and other features can be included in parklets to promote neighborhood aesthetics and social interaction. When green space is scarce in urban settings, parklets can be especially useful in giving locals a chance to interact with the outdoors and one another.
Effective street furniture design in housing has been demonstrated by the Parklet Programme in San Francisco. The programme entails turning parking spaces into modestly sized public areas that are intended to improve the quality of life for locals. Local businesses, community organizations, and residents all contribute to the design process in close cooperation with the city government. The finished parklets have seating places, bike racks, planters, and other features that promote neighborhood beauty and social interaction.
A thoughtful consideration of the interests and preferences of the community as well as the practical requirements of the public space is necessary for efficient street furniture design in housing. Successful design procedures focus on developing practical and appealing public areas that improve inhabitants’ quality of life. This requires cooperation between community organisations, local officials, and other stakeholders. The Parklet Programme in San Francisco, “Garden on the Go” in Baltimore, “Better Block” in Dallas, and “Greening the Gateway Cities” in Massachusetts are a few examples of street furniture design methods that have been effective.
Parklets
References:
1.”Street Furniture: A Design Guide” by Victoria Perry, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018.
2.”Street Furniture and Public Art” by Elizabeth J. Garvey, American Planning Association, 2002.
3.”Designing Street Furniture for Cities” by Thomas Heatherwick, TEDGlobal 2013: https://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_heatherwick_designing_street_furniture_for_cities
4.”Street Furniture and Urban Design” by Stantec: https://www.stantec.com/en/services/landscape-architecture/urban-design/street-furniture-and-amenities
5.”The Role of Street Furniture in Urban Design” by Rhiannon Phillips, ArchDaily, 2017: https://www.archdaily.com/877279/the-role-of-street-furniture-in-urban-design
I am impressed by the topic you chose to write about. We as a designer work on a lot bigger elements, but unknowingly overlook the small element that plays a very crucial role in day-to-day life. Street furniture is that small element, which enhances the housing quality (Yücel, 2013). This element is installed in many spaces like sidewalks, recreation spaces, parks, and residential areas. Correct placement of street furniture has many benefits, including:
1. It provides a comfortable environment for the elderly and parents with small kids. Outdoor benches and seating areas can provide space for social interaction and activities.
2. Trash bins and recycling stations can boost the hygiene level of the city.
3. It will also boost the physical health of the public. Installation of outdoor gym equipment, jogging, and cycling track can promote the well-being of the residents.
4. Street furniture also gives a sense of safety and security in the housing neighborhoods. It promotes the residents to use the outdoor furniture day and night. Emergency call booths, security cameras, and well-marked pedestrian pathways can help enhance safety measures.
5. A thoughtful design can contribute to the aesthetic value of the city. Well-designed benches and furniture can make an inviting environment and visually appealing neighborhood.
During the planning of housing units and neighborhoods, the right placement of furniture can create a vibrant, liveable, and safe community. Thanks for bringing up this topic and for your valuable input.
References:
YücelG.F. (2013). Street Furniture and Amenities: Designing the User-Oriented Urban Landscape.
Street furniture often takes a back seat in Urban Planning infrastructure. The blog here highlights a relevant topic to be considered while designing the public infrastructure. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the functionality , aesthetics and overall livability of the neighborhood. From Benches to Bins to signages etc. contributes to the well being and convenience of the residents. Its purpose extends beyond just the utility value and contributes towards providing a more comfortable and inclusive public realm.
Street furniture also contributes to the safety and convenience of pedestrians and cyclists. Well-designed and properly placed crosswalks, pedestrian islands, and traffic calming measures help improve traffic flow and ensure pedestrian safety. Furthermore, bike racks and bicycle parking facilities encourage active transportation by providing secure spaces for cyclists to park their bikes, making it easier for people to choose cycling as a means of transport.
Some of the fine examples of street furniture is Curved Benches in Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona is known for its innovative urban design, and one of its notable street furniture features is the curved benches found throughout the city. These benches are designed to fit the contour of tree trunks, creating unique and comfortable seating spaces that blend harmoniously with the surroundings.
Street furniture also plays a crucial role in supporting local economies. Public seating areas near retail spaces, cafes, and restaurants encourage foot traffic and provide potential customers with places to rest and enjoy their surroundings. Bicycle racks and parking facilities facilitate easy access to businesses and encourage active modes of transportation, which can lead to increased patronage and economic activity.
References:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-curved-benches-of-park-guell-in-barcelona-spain-133387789.html
https://www.furnitubes.com/blog/the-importance-of-street-furniture/
Hello Tejashree,
Congrats for this blog. This blog contains useful information on street furniture. People might see a shortage of pedestrian spaces and poor conditions in several parts of the world. Good furniture is pleasant for people and they socialise, and I absolutely concur with your first point. People need a place to rest, unwind, and socialise, which is why benches, chairs, and seating spaces are crucial components of street furniture. They provide pedestrians and travellers with convenience and comfort by being placed in public areas such as parks, sidewalks, and transit stops.
San Francisco’s Parklet Programme is a nice illustration. According to my point of view, a decent pedestrian street needs a cycle lane, a walking space, public restrooms, some landscaping, street lighting, and furniture. I can find a lot of information on your blog regarding furniture but nothing concerning street lighting. Both furniture and street lighting are essential. Unsuitable placement or poorly constructed street furniture might have harmful effects. For instance, badly placed garbage cans may cause a buildup of litter, as may benches without sufficient shade or cover in warm regions.
Additionally, because street furniture requires upkeep, it would be nice if you included low maintenance materials. One of the best examples of a street in Europe may be found on a tiny street with nice cafés. For European sidewalk cafés, bistro-style seats are a common option. These compact, lightweight chairs often feature metal frames with woven seats and backs. They offer a sense of refinement to outdoor eating areas and are renowned for their timeless and classic style.
I agree with your focus.
Street furniture indeed plays an integral role in urban residential design by fostering a sense of community and enhancing quality of life. As you elaborate, elements such as benches, tables, and other seating arrangements not only provide space for gatherings, but also enhance the sense of ownership of the residents. Adding planters and other decorative elements can help beautify the environment and foster a sense of community pride.
The safety aspect that comes with well-planned street furniture is an important point that bears reiterating. Adequate lighting, for example, serves a dual purpose. It deters potential crimes while also keeping citizens safe during their night commutes. Well-placed seating arrangements can also serve as natural surveillance points, deterring suspicious activity.
Additionally, street furniture can encourage sustainable transportation alternatives. By incorporating amenities such as bike racks, it is possible to reduce reliance on private cars, thereby reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
However, one area that I would like to explore further is the potential of street furniture to meet the needs of different populations. For example, how does the layout of street furniture affect the elderly, children or people with disabilities?
The concept of ‘parklets’, which turns parking spaces into mini-parks, is both novel and playful. It is especially beneficial in urban environments where green space may be scarce. Still, the maintenance and sustainability of these small parks is something to ponder. Will there be a designated body to oversee their maintenance?
In conclusion, while we recognize the potential of street furniture to enhance urban residential design, we should also consider the inclusivity and sustainability of these amenities. The conversation surrounding street furniture is definitely worth exploring further.