Benches.
One of the simplest ways to improve the quality of public space is, among other things, the arrangement of seats (Gehl 2009).
In an ever-evolving urban landscape, the significance of public spaces and amenities cannot be overstated. Among these amenities, benches stand as humble yet vital elements that contribute to the social fabric and functionality of a city. However, despite their omnipresent existence, the distribution and utilization of benches across urban environments remain relatively understudied.
The decision to focus on benches as a subject of study stems from their profound impact on urban life and community dynamics. Recent societal shifts and urban transformations have led to a decline in the utilization of benches, particularly those situated in street spaces. Yet, these benches possess untapped potential as catalysts for social interaction and community engagement. Research has shown that benches serve as essential components of public spaces, facilitating the integration of individuals and fostering a sense of belonging within the local community.
Drawing on this understanding, our project seeks to examine the distribution and utilization of benches across Brussels, with a keen eye on their social and functional significance. Eventually, we aim to shed light on the role of benches in shaping urban experiences and promoting social cohesion through the averaged conclusions for each of the areas and municipality as a whole.
We conducted a comprehensive study across five distinct neighborhoods of Brussels, namely Molenbeek, City Center, Schaarbeek, Ixelles, and Uccle.
The research involved an in-depth exploration of each neighborhood, with a sampling strategy encompassing 5-10 bench samples per area. This approach allowed us to gather a representative sample size, enabling us to derive meaningful insights and averages for both individual neighborhoods and the city as a whole. By aggregating data from multiple samples within each neighborhood, we were able to establish statistics that offer a holistic perspective. We were guided by a set of predefined criteria, which encompassed various aspects of bench infrastructure and urban landscape. These criteria included factors such as
Time, reflecting the duration required to traverse between individual benches;
Aesthetical appeal, assessing the design and functionality of each bench;
Quality of installment, evaluating the proficiency of bench installation;
State of a bench, discerning whether maintenance efforts were evident;
Materials used, appraising the practicality of bench materials (concrete or untreated wood being the most frequent and the least utile of them)
Placement, considering the strategic positioning of benches within their respective locales, taking into account factors such as foot traffic frequency and terrain complexity.
The culmination of our exploration efforts yielded a dataset with the observed attributes of benches across the city:
In a nutshell, the less time it takes you to get from one bench to another - the better. This concept emphasizes the neighborhood's inclusivity and accessibility, highlighting the ease of navigation within the area. It's all about providing comfort and facilitating movement, particularly for individuals who may encounter challenges with prolonged standing. The lack of benches in urban neighborhoods not only lowers the comfort of pedestrian travel but also perpetuates a reliance on cars as the primary mode of transportation. By acknowledging the importance of accessible seating and advocating for pedestrian-friendly urban design, communities can create vibrant, livable spaces that prioritize the well-being and mobility of all residents.
Based on the data gathered, it is evident that Molenbeek stands out as a leader in terms of mobility and accessibility, providing a notable abundance of rest spots within the area. Additionally, Ixelles also emerges as a strong contender, surpassing expectations compared to other neighborhoods.
What may not come as a surprise but remains intriguing is the correlation between the data and the inhabitants of these areas. Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that Molenbeek radiates a vibrant sense of community. Conversely, in Uccle, the emphasis on solitude and privacy emerges as a defining characteristic, aligning with the data gathered.
In essence, besides looking at the mobility and accessibility landscape of these neighborhoods, we also got valuable insights into the distinct social dynamics and preferences of their residents.
The chart clearly illustrates that the city center outshines other areas with its creative approach to rest spots. This achievement may be attributed to government efforts aimed at enhancing the area's appeal as a tourist destination, thereby promoting the city's unique character. Meanwhile, Ixelles and Uccle, also demonstrate noteworthy performance, likely due to their popularity among visitors and expatriates seeking exploration beyond the central district. Conversely, Molenbeek receives the lowest rating, primarily due to its prioritization of utility over aesthetic appeal when it comes to benches.
However, it's important to acknowledge the subjective nature of this criterion and the challenges in comparing benches across neighborhoods. While the data provides specific insights, it's essential to recognize that each neighborhood features a mix of commendable and terrible rest spots, making it challenging to rank them definitively.
Overall, the quality of installment appears relatively consistent across the areas. The majority of benches are securely installed, with few exceptions where stability issues arise or certain components are missing, suggesting defects in the connecting screws and other metal structures. While these instances are rare, they underscore the importance of meticulous installation practices and the need for strong hardware to ensure the longevity and reliability of urban furniture.
The condition of benches serves as a barometer for their overall maintenance and supervision. Across all areas of Brussels, it is apparent that the issue of neglecting benches is pervasive. While the overall condition of benches is acceptable, we still find instances sitting on which is inconceivable. Interestingly, Uccle emerges as the neighborhood with the most effective maintenance system, indicative of a proactive approach to bench care and preservation.
Conversely, Molenbeek presents a contrasting picture, potentially attributed to a higher rotation of people and utilization rate of benches. As a result, the wear of benches in this area may be more pronounced. This disparity underscores the importance of implementing robust maintenance protocols across all neighborhoods to ensure the usability of public seating infrastructure.
The choice of materials for benches is significant as it directly impacts their durability and maintenance requirements. Predominantly, concrete and untreated wood appear as the most commonly utilized materials, despite their limitations in long-term usability and ease of maintenance.
Concrete, while durable, imposes constraints on the usability of benches during inclement weather conditions, such as during extreme cold or immediately after rain. Similarly, untreated wood retains moisture for extended periods, particularly in Brussels' frequently overcast and humid climate.
However, amidst these challenges, a promising solution has been observed: wood treated with a protective polish. This approach not only enhances the aesthetics of the bench but also mitigates issues associated with moisture retention and cold temperatures. The application of a protective layer enables the wood surface to repel water droplets and maintain a glossy appearance, thereby extending the bench's lifespan and enhancing user comfort.
Strategic placement plays a pivotal role in determining the effectiveness of bench locations, dictating their accessibility and overall appeal. Benches positioned in areas prone to congestion or facing obstructions such as roads or walls are deemed unfavorable. Conversely, benches strategically placed on elevated terrain, offering picturesque views, are considered ideal.
In this regard, Ixelles emerges as the standout performer, with benches situated in unpredictable yet advantageous locations, facilitating ease of access for pass-byers. Molenbeek and the City Center boast abundant bench placements, with many positioned conveniently throughout the area. However, in Uccle and Schaarbeek, there appears to be a lack of adaptability to the surrounding environment, perpetuating a car-centric focus rather than prioritizing pedestrian accessibility.
Thus, as we noticed, by prioritizing strategic bench placement, neighborhoods can enhance their walkability and promote a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
In addition to the observations made, I have also taken the initiative to sketch the primary types of benches commonly discovered throughout the city. This examination of bench designs is particularly significant as it provides a basis for comparison with other European cities. By analyzing the general design features of benches in Brussels and juxtaposing them with those found elsewhere, we can identify areas for improvement and potentially get valuable insights to inform the development of new solutions. Here are the main types of benches you can expect to encounter in Brussels:
FYI: there are many more designs that exist in the city, but these are the ones that I saw most often or found interesting enough.
In conclusion, the approach to benches in Brussels displays considerable growth potential. Particularly evident in their frequency, enhancing the availability of benches throughout the city can significantly increase the accessibility and usability of public spaces. While there is room for improvement in both design and materials, it is encouraging to note that strides are being made in this direction. Many communes are actively taking steps to implement better and more user-friendly designs for public seating, signaling a positive trajectory toward creating more welcoming and inclusive urban environments.
Bibliography:
BENCHES IN THE COMMON SPACE. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES OF RURAL AND URBAN PUBLIC SPACE FURNISHING. (2017). [JB]. Infrastruktura i Ekologia Terenów Wiejskich / Infrastructure and Ecology of Rural Areas, IV/3/2107, 1855–1866. https://doi.org/10.14597/infraeco.2017.4.3.140