STREET FURNITURE
DELIVERING A GREAT OUTDOORS FIT FOR TODAY ’ S WORLD
Covid has led many of us to reevaluate our relationship with the outdoors . Isolation and social distancing measures which have limited what we can do outside of homes and workplaces has resulted in many regarding an hour per day outdoors for exercise as a godsend . There has been a renewed appetite for people to spend as much time as possible in outdoor public spaces . Parks , cafes and high streets with facilities to gather , sit and exercise were busier than previous years throughout 2020 ’ s summer months even when indoor socialising was permitted .
So how do we ensure our outdoor spaces are designed and equipped in a way that further enhances their value and potential , and supports more people wanting to enjoy the great outdoors ?
Re-invigorating town and city centres The way we engage with outdoor spaces in the UK is always changing . More recently , café culture has boomed in the past 20 years which means we ’ re now well-accustomed to sitting at tables on the pavements or courtyards outside coffee shops and restaurants – even when the weather isn ’ t so great .
We are constantly hearing about the decline of bricks and mortar retailing . The pandemic may have accelerated what was a relatively gradual trend of shrinkage , but the future offers hope for physical stores .
One post-pandemic theory is that we might see a more people-friendly public realm around places where we congregate to shop , eat and socialise . The traditional retail hook of high streets – the major stores like Marks & Spencer and John Lewis – will no longer be so important as independents return and thrive .
We ’ ve already seen streets reconfigured with wider pavements , and others made completely pedestrianised , so more people can use the high street whilst feeling safe and not crowded . Social distancing in public spaces , whether enforced or by choice , will live long into the future . But rather than this presenting challenges , it offers opportunity with huge scope to get creative in order to provide the facilities and services that will keep people coming back .
A collaborative approach to the public realm Bailey Street Furniture Group ’ s
‘ creating outdoor spaces together ’ ethos perfectly encapsulates how we can get the best results in urban renovations and new development projects . Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing design ideas and innovation can be brought to fruition with the right products and solutions .
It follows a simple vision – to build a better world by creating stimulating and functional outdoor spaces , that allow us to thrive and enhance our everyday lives .
Whether it is outdoor seating , planters , litter bins , shelters , cycle stands , displays , play equipment or gyms , the design potential for our streets , courtyards and plazas is almost unlimited . But to get the best results , it is worth taking a step back and considering how these solutions can best be deployed to meet the needs and preferences of end-users .
TODAY ’ S KEY GOALS FOR PUBLIC REALM DESIGN
Creating sustainable communities With the urgent need to address climate change , every landscaping and urban design scheme has to be built around sustainable design
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