Every day, we draw on the latest street furniture and urban design thinking from New Zealand and across the globe. Discover how to create unbeatable outdoor spaces that help improve daily lives in a fast-changing world.
Date published 8 August 2023
Outdoor classrooms are fast becoming a must for schools that want to provide children with a rich educational experience that’s filled with fun, exciting and diverse learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls. Inspired by the growing body of research that proves outdoor learning has a positive impact on children’s development and wellbeing, Urban Effects has partnered with […]
Date published 19 July 2023
Comfortable, convenient seating maximises enjoyment of our parks, recreational areas and urban environments but a common question from architects and facility managers is: aluminium or timber? Aluminium’s durability, sustainability and low maintenances make it the most commonly used material for seating in public spaces, but timber is a popular choice for its natural warmth and […]
Date published 20 June 2023
We all have our favourite places, but what makes a place somewhere we want to visit and spend time in, and return to again and again? We explore how a focus on placemaking in contemporary outdoor space design is transforming spaces from bland to brilliant, vacant to vibrant ‘places for people’. As specialists in street […]
Date published 12 June 2023
The evolution of Urban Effects’ Liffiton street furniture suite is a case study in value engineering. Take a behind the scenes look at how local design and manufacturing expertise and a focus on form, function and cost has given this New Zealand made modular seating collection the edge. Open the doors to the Urban Effects […]
Date published 31 May 2023
Benches, bins, bollards, bike racks, planters, tables, and more: the possibilities are endless with these inspiring concrete and stone materials. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the Bellitalia® products to provide ideas and inspiration for your next space. A seat in nature More than ever, it’s vital to infuse urban spaces with natural elements. […]
Date published 2 February 2023
Are teachers, students and parents at your school working together to ensure your school grounds reflect your commitment to caring for people and the planet? We share our top tips for outdoor spaces that score A+ for student wellbeing and sustainability. Schools across New Zealand are taking a ‘whole-school approach’ to teach students about sustainability […]
Date published 2 February 2023
From the way it’s made to its purpose and function, the latest street furniture is designed to meet human needs in a changing world. Smart, sustainable and social, it embodies the space-making design trends that are shaping the places we live, work and play in 2023. Sustainability has been the defining trend of the last […]
Date published 18 October 2022
We’ve all heard of slip, slop, slap and wrap when it comes to protecting ourselves from the sun’s damaging rays. But, for extra, built-in sun protection, quality permanent shade structures in our parks and recreation areas are a must. According to the Cancer Society of New Zealand, skin cancer is the most common cancer in […]
Date published 14 February 2022
Over the past two years, the ‘great outdoors’ have taken on a whole new meaning – and a starring role in personal and collective resilience. Discover the top takeouts for our clients when it comes to planning (and future-proofing) outdoor spaces for schools and communities. First, the research A recent report from New Zealand’s Department […]
Date published 18 November 2021
Planter boxes offer the inclusion of greenery within the built environments that our quickly developing society demands. That’s their beauty – they allow us to reconnect with the natural world where that would usually pose quite a challenge. Looking to incorporate planters into your space, but unsure where to start? Read our guide below, which […]
Date published 18 October 2021
Formerly underrated for its effectiveness, hand sanitiser has undoubtedly become society’s saving grace in the last two years. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that hand sanitiser is one of the best tools available to avoid getting sick. It’s transitioned from the overly cautious […]
Date published 30 July 2021
Currently, New Zealand discards 1.5 million tonnes of waste each year. However, only 28% of this is recycled. This snapshot indicates New Zealand has a long way to go in waste reduction and recovery. With the number of products consumed daily, packaging is constantly straying into our environment, contaminating our beautiful landscapes and waterways, harming […]
Date published 2 June 2021
The sustainability movement is growing in momentum, driven by an increasing awareness and understanding that our quality of life now and into the future is dependent on how we care for, and manage our impact, on our environment. A serious, long-term commitment to sustainability from Governments, Councils, businesses and communities in the planning and design […]