City Installs Hundred New Outdoor Benches as Upgraded Amenities Enhance Relaxation
Recently, our city launched an upgrade project for public space amenities. The first batch of 100 brand-new outdoor benches has been installed and put into use across major parks, street green spaces, bus stops, and commercial districts. These outdoor benches not only incorporate local cultural elements in their design but also balance practicality and comfort in material selection and functional configuration. They have become a new feature in streets and neighbourhoods, combining utility with aesthetic appeal, thereby tangibly enhancing residents’ enjoyment of outdoor activities.
The newly added outdoor benches form a key component of our city’s ‘Minor Public Welfare Projects’ initiative. According to a representative from the Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, staff collected nearly a thousand suggestions regarding outdoor rest facilities through field research and public questionnaires. This input ultimately guided the decision to install additional benches in high-traffic areas with significant rest requirements. ‘Previously, many residents reported difficulties finding suitable resting spots while visiting parks or waiting for buses, with elderly individuals and parents with children expressing particularly urgent needs for outdoor benches,’ the official stated. The current layout carefully considers usage requirements across different scenarios. For instance, a set of outdoor benches is positioned every 300 metres along park pathways, while bus stops feature benches integrated with sunshades, ensuring citizens can ‘sit whenever they wish.’
From a design perspective, these outdoor benches embody a ‘people-centred’ philosophy throughout. Material-wise, the main structure combines pressure-treated timber with stainless steel – the timber undergoes special carbonisation to withstand rain immersion and sun exposure, preventing cracking and warping; the stainless steel frames feature anti-rust coatings, resisting corrosion even in damp conditions to extend the benches’ lifespan. Certain benches incorporate additional thoughtful features: those in park areas feature handrails on both sides to assist elderly users in rising; those near commercial districts include charging ports beneath the seats for convenient mobile phone top-ups; and some are paired with small potted plants to enhance the cosiness of the resting environment.
‘When I used to bring my grandson to this park, we’d have to sit on stones when tired. Now with these benches, resting is so much easier!’ remarked Auntie Wang, a local resident near East City Park, as she sat on a newly installed bench, soothing her grandson while sharing her praise with a reporter. At bus stops, Mr Li also lavished praise on the outdoor benches: ‘Waiting for buses in summer used to be unbearably hot. Now, with the shade canopies and outdoor benches, we no longer have to stand exposed to the sun. It’s incredibly thoughtful.’
Beyond fulfilling basic resting needs, these outdoor benches have become ‘small carriers’ for disseminating urban culture. Benches near historic cultural districts feature carvings of local folk motifs and classical poetry verses, while those in tech zones adopt minimalist geometric designs with blue accents to evoke a technological aesthetic. ‘We envision these benches not merely as resting tools, but as elements that integrate with their surroundings, allowing citizens to absorb the city’s cultural atmosphere while relaxing,’ explained a design team member.
It is reported that the city will continue refining the layout and functionality of these benches based on public feedback. Plans include installing an additional 200 sets by year-end and refurbishing older units. Relevant authorities also urge residents to care for these benches, collectively maintaining public facilities so they may persistently serve citizens and contribute to creating warmer urban public spaces.
Post time: Aug-29-2025
