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The Future Of Street Furniture

Planners and designers are moving away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ mindset. A piece of street furniture won’t just have a single purpose anymore, because there are ways of making it even more useful as technology improves – such as incorporating digital devices into the design. You’d let the programme know what you want guidance on, then share your smartphone’s ID so the street furniture can respond accordingly when you’re nearby.

Responsive street furniture and future technology development

The latest ideas focus on adaptability:

Unsuitable entrances, e.g. no ramps or lifts.

Lack of facilities for the deaf and hearing impaired, such as induction loops and visual cues.

Lack of space between street furniture, meaning wheelchair users or people who walk with a stick or similar kinds of help can’t get through.

Lack of facilities for the blind and partially sighted, such as tactile surfaces, braille signs, and audio cues.

Planners have often had to pick one disability over the other in the past, meaning a problem solved for one group is a problem caused for another. Extra seating may be useful for some, but it reduces the amount of space someone in a wheelchair has to move in, and in some cases may even block their way completely.

Likewise, simple designs and calm colours are more soothing for those with autism, but the blind and visually impaired need bright, contrasting colours and distinctive, tactile features to help them understand where they are.

Responsive street furniture means no one has to compromise.