STREET FURNITURE

In public spaces, built-up areas, transportation and open spaces often compete with each other. But people need retreat areas, especially in urban areas, in order to regenerate. These can be squares that offer a high quality of stay, as well as parks, cemeteries or other public green and open spaces.

An important focus for urban planners and municipal designers must be to make these urban open spaces attractive to the population through specially adapted street furniture for public spaces, thus creating a livable environment, an urban city space, so to speak. We are happy to provide suggestions and tips for sustainable design of urban spaces and open spaces.

Städtische Räume müssen immer den Spagat zwischen verschiedenen Interessen schaffen. Dazu gehören zum einen Aufenthaltsflächen für die Bevölkerung wie Grünbereiche mit Bäumen, Stauden und Beetpflanzen. Dieses städtische Grün filtert die Luft, bietet Schatten und beruhigt und erfreut das Auge. Damit die Menschen diese Bereiche nutzen können, sollte man in Parks nicht an Bänken und anderen Sitzgelegenheiten sparen. Besondere Sitz‐ und Liegemöbel werten die Grünzüge zusätzlich auf und werden in der Regel begeistert angenommen.
Wichtig ist immer, dass die Stadtmöbel für den öffentlichen Raum robust, witterungsbeständig und stabil gegen Vandalismus sind. Andererseits sollen urbane Räume auch Platz für Feste, Wochenmärkte und andere Veranstaltungen bieten. Hier liegt das Augenmerk stärker auf freien und damit flexibel nutzbaren Flächen. Soll dennoch keine eintönige Pflasterfläche entstehen, können diese städtischen Bereiche mit mobile tree tubs or plant troughs with a bench. If necessary, they can be moved by crane or – for smaller objects – by forklift.

Benches are the ideal design element when it comes to increasing the intensity of use and stay of urban open spaces. They invite you to rest after a stroll through the city, but are also specifically targeted as a place to relax. There are very different models that can be installed depending on the room situation or objective. Straight ben ches invite single users, couples or small families to take a seat. Round benches, thanks to their ergonomic shape, fit into parks and urban greenery. They form inviting rest areas where people like to take a seat. The seating comfort of benches can be significantly increased if the benches are equipped with back and side rests.

Mobile plant troughs with integrated bench are specially designed for use in public spaces. If necessary, they can be easily moved aside by crane or forklift, thus reconciling various interests. In recent years, the bicycle as a means of transportation has experienced a real boom, also thanks to e-technology. If city planners want to avoid crisscrossing and plugging in of bicycles, sufficient bicycle parking spaces and bicycle parking should be available in public spaces. This is true not only for train station forecourts, but also for public spaces near city halls, schools, and storefronts.

A successful design can be measured by its acceptance among the population. Just as you should put paths under people’s feet, you should also pay attention to what their very own expectations and requirements are for an urban space, for public places.

As part of the renovation of the busy district road that runs through the center of Flacht, three squares were completely redesigned here. The urban open spaces have gained enormously in quality of stay and are enthusiastically accepted by the population. Street furniture such as ergonomically curved benches, planters, stairs and earth retaining walls characterize the new face of the historic town center. The stock of old trees was preserved and historic fountains were incorporated into the design

The town of Krozingen in the Rhine Valley demonstrated its courage to use color when it set about redesigning its station forecourt. Until then, it had eked out a rather dreary existence and offered little quality of stay for locals and commuters. In the meantime, it has been transformed into a real oasis of well-being with colorful seating islands and colorful tree tubs. The tree tubs are planted with ornamental and useful plants and small and large trees in a varied and color-coordinated manner and thus also provide shade. So that the city gardeners do not have to water so much in hot summers, the planters were equipped with water storage mats. These also act as insulation against heat and frost.