#1 These Lines Go Up The Wall So You Can Park Perfectly In Between The Lines
#2 This Car Park Has Been Converted Into A Solar Energy Farm Giving Shade And Cover Below
Most people want to live in a comfortable environment; one that is functional, safe, and, preferably, not an eyesore. That’s why we spend large chunks of our paychecks on comfy furniture, different appliances, and sometimes all sorts of knicknacks that have the power to turn a house into a home.
Bearing in mind that people want their homes to be comfortable, it’s no surprise that they might want their cities to be, too. And while that means different things to different people, this list shows that there are plenty of innovative ways to make cities more convenient for their residents (and visitors alike).
#4 In The UK, Redundant Telephone Boxes Are Being Repurposed As Public Defibrillators
#5 Someone Chopped Down A Tall Tree To Get A Better View Of Sydney Harbour So The Put Up A Tall Sign Where It Once Was To Block The View
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust protects and manages this land for the enjoyment of the public.
Acts of vandalism like this deprive all of us of the natural environment.
Please report any suspicious activities to 8969 2100.
Offenders may be subject to fines and/or prosecution."
Making cities a nice place for people to live is a responsibility that usually falls into the hands of urban design experts. On a daily basis, they are presented with the unique challenge of creating spaces that fit the needs of a certain community, both visually and functionally.
According to Washington State’s Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), urban design addresses the functional and aesthetic qualities of the physical environment by combining the practices of architecture, planning, and landscape architecture; and mastering all three is not an easy task to conquer.
Though, clearly, some urban design experts and other people responsible for the execution of creative and innovative solutions in cities have conquered their tasks with flying colors, as we can see here.
According to the MRSC, people care about the look, the feel, and the livability of their communities, which becomes increasingly important bearing in mind the number of people residing in cities.
Statistics presented by the United Nations (UN) suggest that more than half of the global population currently lives in urban areas, and the rate is projected to be as high as 70% by the year 2050.
For people in cities to be happy, it might not be enough to have a comfortable home or good transportation infrastructure. Green spaces are arguably equally—if not more—important. Though, according to the UN, provision and access to open public spaces remains low across regions, negatively impacting the quality of urban life.
“Public spaces enhance inclusion, social cohesion and the productivity of cities. However, 2020 data from 1,072 cities reveal that more than three-quarters have less than 20 per cent of their area dedicated to open public spaces and streets,” notes the UN’s Statistics Division.
#13 UPS In Italy Uses These "Bicycle Trucks" To Deliver Packages To Places In Narrow Streets Of Rome
It’s no secret that our environment can significantly influence our well-being, hence the importance of well-thought-out urban areas featuring public spaces and other crucial elements.
A study delving deeper into urban design as a key to healthy environments for all suggests that urban design and transport “have the potential to provide large, long-lasting, and immediate benefits for health, and hence are key to healthy and sustainable urban environments for all.
“If designed with this perspective in mind, urban design and transport policies (along with other interventions) can provide multiple benefits, including: reducing the upward trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the environment, fostering equity and intergenerational solidarity, and improving our resilience to future potential pandemics,” the study read in part.
#15 In Vancouver, Trained Raptors (And Handlers) Have Been Hired To Keep Aggressive Seagulls Away From Public Eating Areas
#16 These Parking Spaces Have Folding Bars That Lock To Keep People From Parking In Their Spots
#17 These Public Benches Are Reversible, So You Can Choose To Look At People, Or Boats
Another study, focused on what people want in a so-called smart city (a city featuring ICT [information and communication technology]-based solutions to tackle urban challenges), found that “far from the image of a highly technological city, the stakeholders envision a city dedicated to improving the quality of life and environmental sustainability.
“Furthermore, to achieve this smart city, the projects need to be based on full transparency and the promotion of social inclusion. In contrast to the dominant trend towards the privatization of urban space, this study finds that the stakeholders prefer public-based smart city projects such as ICT-based public transport services.”
#18 The County Of Maui Has Public Sunscreen So People Use Reef Safe Sunscreen
Even though nowadays, people—in the US, at least—are reportedly less likely to want to live in cities than they were before the pandemic, millions of people still do. And that is why it’s important to give whoever came up with these innovative solutions a pat on the back and a kind word for a job well done.