Design Considerations for Seating Furniture in Urban Spaces

Street furniture is important in urban texture in different ways. Street furniture and citizens/urban users have too critical relationship; we sit, eat, wait, collect our garbage, etc. But these are not the only functions they have. They also have important role in our cities' appearance. Unfortunately the subject has not been researched enough and the deserved interest has not yet been given to their very important items in our cities. Thus, the subject is worth studying thoroughly. Especially in Cyprus, people have had a habit of sitting in the streets to drink their coffee, have a chat with their neighbours, watching their kids, etc. until the characteristics of new neighbourhoods and new houses prevented them of doing so. In addition, the increasing car population makes it impossible to sit outside. Now urban public spaces are supposed to hold this role. They are supposed to be spaces for people to carry out social interactions. In such spaces the role of urban furniture, particularly seating elements, is very important. In terms of street furniture research, it is found that it is hard to find any research regarding seating furniture units. The aim of this study will be to investigate street furniture from different aspects such as functional requirements, ergonomics, safety, maintenance, etc. Special attention will be given to the role of street furniture in public spaces along with designs with respect to cultural and social aspects of a certain place. At the end, a framework for classifications of design criteria for this kind of furniture will be suggested. Keywords: Street Furniture, Seating furniture, ergonomics, posture, material, maintenance, proxemics, climate conditions, street, park, blue side, square/plazas.