Procity is known as a leader in the design and installation of smart city technologies explained. One of the essential components of any smart city is sustainable street furniture. Such fixtures can make urban areas more livable, while also conserving natural resources and reducing waste. In this article, we'll explore how streetscape designers can make use of materials, design principles and life-cycle assessment methodologies to design street furniture that is both sustainable and functional.
Materials for sustainable street furniture
When it comes to designing sustainable street furniture, choosing the right materials is the first and most important step. Sustainable materials must have the durability, resistance to wear and weathering, and low maintenance necessary for outdoor use. Beyond that, they should also be made from renewable resources, recycled, or recyclable materials to minimize their environmental impact. Here are some of the types of materials that meet these criteria.
Recycled and recyclable materials
Several recycled materials are suitable for street furniture production. These include recycled plastics, metals, and composites derived from recycled materials. Many of these materials also provide a lower cost alternative to traditional materials such as wood or steel. Using recycled materials keeps waste out of landfills and can reduce energy consumption, as the recycling process uses fewer resources than producing materials from scratch.
Bamboo and other renewable materials
Renewable materials such as bamboo, Rattan, and reclaimed wood are also popular choices for sustainable street furniture. Among these materials, bamboo is especially attractive due to its strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Bamboo is also incredibly useful in reducing carbon, making it an important tool in the fight against climate change.
Durable and low-maintenance materials
In addition to being made from renewable or recycled materials, high-quality, durable materials are essential for sustainable street furniture. The fixture will need to be resistant to weathering, wear and tear, and vandalism. For example, high performance, powder-coated metals like galvanized steel or aluminum can provide durability and long life expectancy with very little maintenance required for preservation of the material.
Designing sustainable street furniture
Choosing the right materials is only half the battle in designing sustainable street furniture. The functional design is also essential, as well as the aesthetics that would allow the street furniture to blend well with the surroundings. Considering the needs of various user groups can help ensure that a street furniture installation is functional, attractive and essential for enhancing public space.
Ergonomics and accessibility
To create functional and accessible street furniture, designers should consider people with different physical abilities. Main design principles include considerate of the user’s ergonomics by creating comfortable and safe seating options. Seating areas should be wide enough to accommodate people of different sizes and their accompanying accessories like strollers or wheelchairs.
Modularity and durability
Modularity is vital to urban street furniture as it allows for elements to mesh towards cohesion, providing needed flexibility and adaptability, and creating visual harmony. Modular street furniture should be designed to attach easily with a physical system or network of other street furniture components, so the design is interchangeable for different locations. Moreover, designers should consider designs that can be disassembled for the repair and replacement of specific components while retaining the core elements of the street furniture.
Aesthetic appeal and place-making
Street furniture design elements are highly visible, and it can make a significant aesthetic statement in urban areas. Street furniture can serve both as a reflection of the areas character and as place makers. Place making street furniture is a catalyst for social interaction by creating different spaces for social cooperation, play, or communal gatherings.
Life cycle assessment of street furniture
It's only possible to tell the full environmental impact of any given street furniture product when considering the entire product life cycle. A life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is a cradle-to-grave approach that considers every aspect of a product's ecological impact, from production to end-of-life waste management.
Environmental impact of manufacturing
The production process of the chosen material and the transportation process observed during the process can have an environmental impact. For example, the manufacturing processes associated with materials like aluminum, steel or concrete often have high carbon footprints due to the energy needed to produce them.
Carbon footprint and energy use
The use of street furniture affects energy consumption, which should be of concern if working towards urban sustainability. For example, furniture with solar panels or LED lighting embedded within them conserves energy and reduces carbon emissions.
End-of-life options and waste management
End-of-life options would typically include recycling, repurposing, refurbishing or disposing of the street furniture. Recycling or refurbishment of the street furniture reduces the material waste stream and conserves natural resources. Disposal of unwanted or worn-out street furniture should be as eco-friendly as possible. One way of doing this is to work with the manufacturer to ensure intelligent design that would allow for easy disassembly, making it simpler for those responsible for waste disposal to reduce adverse environmental effects.
- Recycling and repurposing are essential to remove street furniture from the waste stream and to conserve natural resources.
- Smart street furniture design that integrates technology such as solar panels or LED lighting improves energy savings and reduces environmental impact footprint.
- The use of sustainable materials drastically brings down the carbon footprint of manufacturing, thus providing earth-friendly alternatives to the usage of non-eco-friendly materials.
- End-of-life options such as recycling and repurposing, and eco-friendly disposal methods lead to fewer adverse environmental effects.
In conclusion, street furniture has the potential to reduce urban pollution, conserve natural resources, and make public spaces more enjoyable and accessible to everyone. By choosing durable, eco-friendly materials, designing functional yet aesthetic street furniture that is adaptable to multiple uses and user groups, and considering the full product life cycle from production to end-of-life, we can create more sustainable and livable urban environments.