Street Furniture Australia Features in World Bank Report: The Hidden Wealth of Cities
A new 400-page strategic handbook has been released by World Bank Group to help cities unlock ‘hidden value’ by working with public and private partners and communities to invest in the co-creation of human-centered, sustainable, economically vibrant and socially inclusive public spaces.
Smart and sustainable strategies implemented across public-space asset life cycles yield returns on investment far exceeding monetary costs, the authors say, and enhance city livability, resilience, and competitiveness.
According to the report, while globally about a third of a city’s land area is covered by public spaces, the potential of public-space assets to transform cities and improve urban life is often overlooked.
“The resulting degradation of public spaces into congested, vehicle-dominated, and polluted places often becomes a liability, creating a downward spiral that drains public resources and exacerbates various city problems,” they say.
“In contrast, cities that invest in the creation of connected, inclusive public spaces and places fare much better. They leverage public-space assets to create value for the surrounding area, supporting livelihoods and promoting local businesses; and spur urban revitalisation and innovation, further attracting firms and talent.
“Successful public spaces also add to quality of life by improving walkability, public safety, social inclusion, neighborhood vibrancy, urban health and citizen wellbeing. In many cases public spaces enhance urban resilience and city functioning by integrating with infrastructure, urban systems, cultural heritage and green spaces.”
The report presents strategies that city leaders, policymakers and urban practitioners can undertake to better plan, finance and manage both government-owned and privately-owned public spaces, to achieve livable cities for all.
Street Furniture Australia is proud to have been mentioned in the report as an example of innovation in measuring the public realm with our Smart Social Spaces and ChillOUT research in collaboration with Georges River Council and the University of New South Wales and University of Sydney (p102).
Applications of urban tech to street design and management. Image: World Bank Group.
“In the future disruptive civic tech and GovTech street-level image object detection systems; sensors embedded in everyday objects in the public realm of smart districts; artificial intelligence; and machine learning will drive how cities monitor and manage public spaces,” the authors say.
“A set of urban technology applications for streets provides a glimpse into how streetscapes might change in the future.”
The Hidden Wealth of Cities: Creating, Financing, and Managing Public Spaces by Jon Kher Kaw, Hyunji Lee and Sameh Wahba is freely available as a pdf through the Open Knowledge Repository.
Take a quick (and educational) tea break with us! Customers are invited to book in a 10-minute Zoom or Microsoft Teams chat to learn about new products. Presentations are guaranteed no longer than 10-minutes plus Q&A. Choose from: Each participant will receive a T2 gift box (optional). Book by contacting us on teatime@streetfurniture.com, or via the button below. Win a HAY clock Australian customers who book a Tea Time between April 1 to June 1, 2023 will be in the running to win a newly-launched wall clock designed by Jasper Morrison, valued at $275. Winner will be notified on June 5, 2023. Image: HAY.
Curve the Linea range with horizontal or vertical battens, timber or aluminium, freestanding or fixed to the ground, to a wall or plinth. Use standard or custom curves to realise your vision in any landscape. Our industrial designers have applied a deep understanding of material practicalities to craft the aluminium Linea Curved Seat, and timber Linea VT Curved Seat, blending form and function with our signature quality, durability and ease of maintenance. Designed in consultation with landscape architects, both products offer the ability to tailor curves to fit project requirements. The two distinct options are: Aluminium: Linea Curved Seat and Bench Innovative backrest design, available in Wood Without Worry or colour powdercoated aluminium battens. Timber: Linea VT Curved Seat and Bench Vertically-oriented, hand-cut battens featuring PEFC-certified Spotted Gum hardwood. Linea …
Sydney landscape architects and friends gathered at The Mint in the CBD on May 10, 2023 to celebrate the launch of new products and a design book with Street Furniture Australia and AILA NSW. A highlight of the evening was introducing ‘… creating a sense of place,’ a book by founding directors Darrel Conybeare and Bill Morrison, which tells the story of two young architects successfully launching their public furniture design and manufacturing business. The book will be available from July 2023 on Book Depository, Amazon and select bookstores. The Linea VT collection and Linea Curved Seat were also unveiled, providing dynamic options for curved aluminium and timber seating. The event was filled with live jazz music, delicious food and drinks, and lively conversations among our guests. We would like …
New experimental open-air smart hubs, created by Street Furniture Australia at our studio and factory in Western Sydney, have been officially launched by Georges River Council Mayor Kevin Greene on Thursday February 20, 2020. “ChillOUT Hubs aim to offer some relief in our densifying cities by providing opportunities to meet, work or rest, and spend more time outdoors,” says Street Furniture Australia Head of Innovation June Lee Boxsell. “Each hub packs a punch – integrating shade, seats and tables, charging stations, solar power, sensors, lighting, public WiFi, greenery, smart fountains and smart bins – a big feat combining tech, industrial design and placemaking,” she says. Three hubs are already installed in the Georges River Council region in south Sydney as part of a pilot study for the Australian Government’s Smart …
We’re pleased to share that the construction of our three ChillOUT Hubs is nearing completion, part of a pilot study for the Australian Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program. ChillOUT Hubs are smart, open-air community spaces. The prototype installations offer people a free, comfortable place to meet, work and play. They also enable asset managers to monitor utilities, visitation and the microclimate. For more information see our article What Is ChillOUT? The official launch will take place in February 2020. The collaborative team of Georges River Council, UNSW and Street Furniture Australia will also host a series of events including a Council Knowledge Exchange, industry hackathon and tours to site. Please register your interest with Tiffany Hoy at editor@streetfurniture.com Here is an update from each site. A Streetscape – Belgrave …
Georges River Council’s partnership with UNSW and Street Furniture Australia has received a Highly Commended Award for Cross Sectoral Collaboration at the 2019 Smart City Awards by the Committee for Sydney. The awards celebrate projects and partnerships that address the fundamental challenges faced by cities, governments, industry and communities in Greater Sydney. The three partners were recognised for their collaboration on creating smart social spaces that improve the amenity and user experience of public open spaces, as well as helping to mitigate urban heat island effects at the micro level. The trio is one of the few teams to win both Round 1 and Round 2 grants from the Australian Government’s $50m Smart Cities and Suburbs Program. The Round 1 project, Smart Social Spaces, investigated how smart furniture can be …
