July, 2021 | Emerdyn

Street Furniture and Urban Regeneration

Urban Regeneration: An Introduction

Practical application of urban regeneration strategies is the key to reinvigorating modern cityscapes, transforming the lives of residents, attracting tourists and stimulating economic growth.

The benefits of urban regeneration strategies are manifold, simultaneously addressing issues such as social equity and health, reducing carbon emission, and enhancing infrastructure, liveability and housing.

What is Urban Regeneration?

Urban regeneration is an umbrella term which covers everything from infrastructure and transport investment, to social and cultural regeneration including museums and parks. Urban regeneration projects also focus on the central role of the natural environment in urban design, reserving and maintaining green spaces in development plans and redeveloping brownfield sites. It also deals with the progression of eco-friendly projects that promote walking, cycling, and public transport, managing waste around the city and implementing recycling strategies.

Why Urban Regeneration?

Often cities have unused and underutilized spaces which serve little purpose, often bringing down the standard of living in the area. Through urban regeneration, these spaces are transformed into liveable and beneficial areas with a joint effort from the government and private entities.

Execution of urban renewal projects requires close monitoring, continual feedback to authorities, and a shared set of goals and aims. These efforts should be focused on better use of existing resources in practical ways which benefit local communities.

What Can We Achieve with Urban Regeneration?

All urban regeneration projects serve to achieve a few standard sets of goals, including:

Cutting down barriers to community growth
Tackling low employment
Making spaces more attractive to residents and investors
Opening up new avenues for opportunity and progress
Raising the standard of living
Increasing satisfaction among local residents

What is Role of Street Furniture in Urban Regeneration?

Street furniture plays a vital role in urban regeneration, improving the ambiance of public spaces, making areas more accessible to the elderly and children, and providing space for community engagement.

Street furniture serves more than a decorative purpose; it provides a sense of place. Carefully placed bins and benches reflect deep planning and care for the public on the city planner’s part, demonstrating thoughtful, human-centric design.

Moreover, street furniture heavily influences human behaviour. With anti-littering projects, it promotes recycling and cleanliness among residents. It provides people spaces to interact with each other and form bonds.

Skateboarder-friendly and bicycle racks serve to encourage and improve quality of life. Additionally, some street objects, especially those made of cast iron, help preserve history and cultural heritage.⁽¹⁾

A study that drew comparison between streets adorned with and a street without street furniture showed that pedestrians reported a higher satisfaction rate using the street where they did not have to compete with cars and bikes.⁽²⁾

The Barangaroo Project

Emerdyn has had the honour of contributing to one of the world’s leading urban renewal plans, the Barangaroo Project. Managed by Lend Lease, 22 hectares of land are being redeveloped with a $6 billion budget, projected to be completed in 2024 with a new metro station, apartment complexes, and a 275-meter building, crowned Sydney’s tallest building.

It has the potential to provide around 24,000 people with work,⁽³⁾ but it is the thoughtful and intentional environmental planning which sets the Barangaroo Project apart:

97% of the construction waste is being recycled.
Barangaroo is also helping preserve the environment by planting 100% native plants.
It is a “water-wise precinct” capable of exporting more recycled water than the drinking water it consumes.
50% of the area is designated public space.
It has zero waste emission making the world’s first carbon-neutral city.
It aims to direct 80% of waste away from landfills.
It promotes city well-being by employing 24,000 people.⁽⁴⁾

The installation of street furniture elements to create functional public spaces which carry the modern industrial aesthetic throughout the precinct is another key part of the project plans. Emerdyn provided stainless steel life buoy posts and stainless steel boat dock ladders to adorn the Barangaroo harbourside.

Additionally, Emerdyn crafted cast bronze conduit covers, cast bronze drain grates, cast ductile iron drain grates, and cast ductile iron tree grates that serve to create an instantly recognisable identity across the district.

The Bays Precinct

A proposed urban renewal plan for Sydney, Australia, known as The Bays Precinct, is set to revolutionize transport. While master plans are still being discussed, the project aims to redevelop 95 hectares of land which will house the new Sydney Fish Market – an effective way of creating jobs for people in the area and capitalizing on the surrounding waterfront. Additionally, a metro line is to be constructed in Glebe Islands Bridge, contributing to ease of movement for those who work or live in the area.⁽⁵⁾

Conclusion

Including sustainable strategies in plans, cutting pollution by taking eco-friendly steps such as cultivating green spaces and cutting down crime rates by providing work to the underprivileged are central to the success of urban regeneration plans. If you would like to continue the conversation, feel free to reach out for more information.

Summing it up, urban regeneration strategies are the only way of moving forward. If we are planning projects for cities, we must focus on long-term goals instead of short ones. It means

References

Street Furniture: The Evolution

The transformative power of landscaping and public amenity design is one of the cornerstones of urban renewal, impacting the way humans interact with each other and their environment. Street furniture is one of the key ways in which public spaces become functional, facilitating community and connection.

While many contemporary forms of street furniture have evolved in response to modern life, people have used them for hundreds of years. As a matter of fact, one can easily track the history and culture of a particular geographical location by looking at the different items placed outside.

The history of Street Furniture can be traced to the ancient Romans, who used wooden milestone markers or stone, tethering posts and horse troughs purely for functional purposes and not for aesthetics. There is an intrinsic relationship between public furniture and human movement, with many elements designed to enable modes of transport, which is the first of the three main purposes of street furniture.

Street furniture covers everything from bollards, shelters and bike racks to utilities such as bins, tables and seating and drinking fountains. The types of street furniture in an area gives a fascinating insight into the culture and lifestyle of people using the space, as well as the functions which councils and local authorities deem most important to make urban life more convenient for city dwellers or visitors.

18^th Century Street Furniture: Bollards, Bus Shelters and Mailboxes:

The evolution of the wooden bollard dates back to the Maritime Bollard during the Victorian era in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Within the London Boroughs of Camden and Portsmouth, cannons from decommissioned war ships were turned upside-down and sunk into the ground with their cannonballs fixed into them. If you have ever been caught as a pedestrian between vehicles and buildings then you will appreciate the role of bollards, which were critical in preventing horse-drawn vehicles from knocking over people or damaging buildings. It is for this very reason that recent roadside bollards have been reinforced to withstand greater impact, in a bid to increase public safety.

Around the time regular bus services were launched in the early 1830s, bus shelters were introduced in the public road transport, saving travellers from the scorching sun and heavy downpours. The rise of railway lines in the 1840s led to the increasing popularity of another street furniture, bench seating to accommodate large groups of weary travellers waiting for transport. The simple design of Emerdyn’s Victorian Seat harks back to those installed at the Great Western Railway stops.

Fast forward to 1852, four red mail boxes (pillar boxes) would take centre stage in the Channel Islands, gradually becoming British icons. Five years later, roadside wall boxes would be popularized as the more economical alternative in rural districts.

The next innovation in street furniture was public water fountains in 1859, thanks to the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association. But the Association was not only concerned with human welfare – in 1867 it also took care of horses and other animals moved in and out of major towns and cities by providing proper sanitation. In a bid to offer an even better deal, the establishment of water troughs was fast tracked in the large towns and cities.

Although litter bins were introduced towards the end of 1800s, they were not popularly used until the rise of pedestrianized town squares and, eventually, fast food restaurants made them a necessary amenity.

EM093 Boulevarde Seats in triple option - Hyde Park Pool of reflections — EM093 Boulevarde Seats in triple option – Hyde Park Pool of reflections

The evolution of street furniture has been a response to the needs of city residents, culture, and advances in technology. As times progressed, old Victorian lights were replaced by electric street lights, with LED signage for everything from advertising to daily weather and important news information at bus stops. Urban transformation and cultural advancements have seen the repurposing of street furniture elements, one example being water troughs for horses which have been turned into flower planters. The modernization of street furniture can be seen everywhere from old fashioned metal signs which have been replaced by reflective street signs, tiny post boxes and trash bins have been enlarged to meet the needs of high-density urban areas.

In an era of selfies, the aesthetic value and style we all appreciate from well-designed street furniture is at a premium. Ultimately, residents take pride in the comfort, attraction and enjoyment derived from beautifully designed street furniture. To meet the needs of modern communities, companies like Emerdyn will continue to adapt street furniture to make them weather-proof, stylish, safe and robust.

Yarning Circles: The Indigenous Foundations of Modern Community

Australian Indigenous patterns of gathering contain important keys for building cohesive modern communities, creating spaces for building connection and understanding. Particularly in an educational context, the tradition of gathering in a “Yarning Circle” creates a space for stories, history, wisdom and experiences to be shared. As a nod towards NAIDOC week and Indigenous Literacy Day, the Emerdyn team has assembled this informational resource for schools, community organisations, landscapers and designers wanting to integrate spaces inspired by yarning circles into their rhythm of community gatherings. The use of outdoor learning spaces will be central, as educational institutions look to create a “new normal”, post-Covid.[1] Integrating public gathering areas such as contoured seating areas has been a successful strategy which many schools have applied to facilitate students gathering in group learning formats.

What is a Traditional Yarning Circle?

Yarning circles are community gatherings among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, who meet to share their experiences, knowledge and stories.[2] Cognizant of the fact that people hold different worldviews, these public meeting places or yarning circles are peaceful,[3] giving utmost respect to the voice or opinion of every member in the circle. Members speak in turn, in a clockwise direction, listening to one speaker at a time.

Significance of Yarning Circles in Indigenous Communities

As a central point of connection in which community members speak and listen to each other from the heart, yarning circles cultivate deep and sincere communication,[4] and active listening.[5] They are critically important in the building of respectful relationships, where participants interact in an honest, trustworthy and responsible manner.[6] Participants are encouraged to keep eye contact during these community meetings.[7]

Yarning circles provide a safe environment for people to listen and respond to each other, fostering accountability. The families, clans and tribal groups engage in a harmonious and cohesive manner, collaborating towards maintenance and sustenance of knowledge through generations[8] as well as mentoring younger generations.[9]

Traditionally, farmers would gather in circles while standing to discuss elements like wool prices or the weather,[10] whilst others had an opportunity to share success stories, creating space to support and encourage each other.[11]

The yarning circle also allowed generational knowledge on biodiversity and land-management practices to be passed down – something which contemporary Australian society now benefits from as some of these practices are applied today.[12]

Lessons from History of Yarning Circles: Aboriginal & Torres Straight Island Cultures

Student-to-student and school-to-community interactions can be enhanced through yarning circles. A foundational principle of the circles is that all are considered equals – hierarchies are not recognized. Rather than focus on criticism or problem solving, yarning circles focus on strengths, paying more attention to the knowledge and abilities of participants. This encourages collaborative relationships and creates positive expectations of members within the circle.[13] As differences in opinion are accepted, common ground is formed through dialogues, narratives and interactions.

Beliefs and identities can be shaped by family and community stories, where members are empowered to courageously honor their own personal experiences and those of others.[14] In this context, young people can actually be educated about their own cultures, while addressing indigenous issues as well.[15] Through intentional planning, community spaces become a reflection of culture and heritage, contextualizing to outsiders how locals live their lives in their respective places.[16] The community space thus provides a sense of belonging and collective responsibility. Bound together by cords of their shared encounters, community members are able to work through tensions, problems or common issues.[17] The primary method of learning used by members of the circle is observation – rarely are questions asked.[18] The aim of the yarning circle is to have people from various groups in the community meet together and participate in substantive democratic discourse,[19] an important factor for schools and all community groups to integrate into their built environment.

EM038 Contour Bench — EM038 contour bench by Emerdyn, artwork by Quakers Hill Public School.

References

[1] https://qed.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/classroom-of-the-past-and-future

[2] https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/4585-yarning-circles-bring-indigenous-culture-to-adf-recruit-training-2

[3] Ibid.

[4] https://www.schoolsreconciliationchallenge.org.au/activities/yarning-circle/

[5] Ungunmerr-Baumann, M.R. (2002). Dadirri: Inner deep listening and quiet still awareness. Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia: Emmaus

[6] https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/about/k-12-policies/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-perspectives/resources/yarning-circles

[7] https://others.org.au/features/the-yarning-circle/

[8] https://www.hcq.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Day2Yarning-Circle.pdf

[9] https://hatch.macleay.net/aborigina-yarning-circles-being-adopted-in-nsw-schools-naidoc-week/

[10] https://slll.cass.anu.edu.au/centres/andc/yarning-circle

[11] Thursday Island Torres News, 21 March 2012

[12] https://ensia.com/features/indigenous-knowledge-biodiversity/

[13] Calma, T. (2017). ‘Be inspired’: Indigenous Education Reform. Australian Human Rights Commission.

Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/speeches/be-inspired-indigenouseducation-reform

[14] Sheehan, N. (2012). Stolen generations education: Aboriginal cultural strengths and social and emotional well-being, Brisbane: Link-Up QLD.

[15] https://www.un.org/press/en/2003/hr4674.doc.htm

[16] https://www.cct.org/2016/08/revitalizing-public-spaces-for-conversation-creativity-and-play/

[17] https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-019-4490-6

[18] https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/about/k-12-policies/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander- perspectives/resources/yarning-circles

[19] https://methods.sagepub.com/reference/encyclopedia-of-action-research/n58.xml

Outdoor Furniture Design in Education

Studies on the impact of environmental and spatial design in educational settings have proven what we all intuitively knew – physical environment impacts both social behaviour and learning outcomes.

Theories of environmental psychology have long held that elements of the physical environment have an impact on social attitudes and behaviour inside the classroom and beyond. Despite contemporary research supporting these theories, the design of outdoor playgrounds, lunch areas and non-classroom spaces has been something of an afterthought in schools, seen as having less of an impact than classrooms on the primary goals of educational institutions. However, contemporary approaches to integrative learning practices have started to take effect, leading to a higher level of intentionality when it comes to designing outdoor spaces that facilitate active learning and foster social connection and inclusivity.

Particularly in urban schools, where space is at a premium, much thought must be given to the best use and design of outdoor spaces. Each of the three learning modes (passive, active, and interactive learning) have specific spatial requirements, and particularly with the migration to greater levels of “outdoor classroom” usage, schools across Australia are finding it increasingly important to take a thoughtful approach to landscape and outdoor furniture design. Intentional planning of the outdoor environment of an educational institution fosters positive social behaviour and can facilitate a sense of community and belonging.

A study conducted in Malaysia found that the primary quality that students sought in a space to spend lunch or recess was “peacefulness”. Elements such as shelter, privacy, green space, and comfortable seating where students could gather with their friends were all highly valued. Most students spent their break times interacting with peers – and in fact, many rated “people watching” as one of their preferred activities during break time, which speaks to the high degree of curiosity which students tend to display about their peers and those around them at various developmental stages. Providing students with safe, peaceful seating areas with adequate garbage disposal receptacles and access to shade is therefore a key part of schools’ support of students’ social development.

One of the major issues of concern to teachers and learning facilitators is indiscipline and behavioural management. Disruptive behaviour has the compounded effect of negatively impacting a student’s own learning outcomes, while simultaneously distracting those around them. A key approach to promoting safe school culture is through focusing on intentional design of the outdoor environment of a school, as environment influences human behaviour. Planning of architectural and outdoor furniture elements can facilitate the development of social skills, as interaction is encouraged through special design, and can also lead to better learning outcomes.

Key reference:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257716066_Relationship_between_the_Outdoor_Physical_Environment_and_Student’s_Social_Behaviour_in_Urban_Secondary_School