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 16 May 2024
Our quest for greener, cleaner lifestyles and desire to combat the downsides of increasing urbanisation is giving urban planners and landscape architects fresh scope to re-think city streets and spaces. And street furniture is taking centre stage. Efficient public transport. Walkable and bikeable cities and neighbourhoods. Public green spaces. These are the three core elements […]
Date published 14 May 2024
Looking for refreshingly different waste management solutions for your outdoor spaces? Modern public bins streamline waste collection, promote environmentally safe disposal of waste, and are far more aesthetically pleasing, too. In today’s community spaces – from parks and reserves to city streets and sidewalks, and retail and commercial precincts – effective waste management is a […]
Date published 26 February 2024
Urban ‘mainstays’ like shopping, dining and recreation precincts are at a crossroads – and there’s a playful secret to giving them a new lease of life. Take the traditional shopping centre, or ‘shopping mall’ for example. To compete against an online world – and in crowded and mature markets – they need to offer a […]
Date published 1 February 2024
Three key concepts are set to shape urban design and street furniture trends in 2024 with a specific focus on the three Ps: People, the Planet and Placemaking. We are proud to be an industry leader committed to the creation of liveable and accessible public spaces and embracing the mega trend to build well-being and […]
Date published 19 September 2023
The creators of the Chatterbox Seat, Emily Turnbull and Whanganui-based company Urban Effects are on a mission to get people talking about the big things this Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 September 2023). Designed to build awareness and help remove the stigma around mental health, the first Chatterbox Seat was installed at Point Chevallier […]
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 […]