Functional and aesthetic integration of street furniture in urban park design

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the role and conceptual foundations of modern street furniture within the broader context of urban park and mental health landscape design. It explores how street furniture contributes to both the functional and aesthetic dimensions of public space, influencing material choices, user interaction, and cultural significance. Particular attention is paid to clarifying the relationship between street furniture and spatial planning, identifying design approaches that enhance the overall effectiveness and visual quality of public environments. Methodology. This research employs a comprehensive literature review and case study analysis to investigate contemporary design strategies for integrating street furniture into public landscape environments. It focuses on examples drawn from mental health-oriented public spaces to evaluate the conceptual and practical coherence of urban furniture design. The study highlights principles of spatial harmony, functionality, and user-centered planning, aiming to uncover viable pathways toward integrating design aesthetics with everyday utility. Results. The findings introduce a design framework that emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of aesthetics and environment in public landscape spaces. The proposed concept is grounded in user-centered criteria – visual engagement, participatory interaction, and psychological comfort. By addressing these dimensions, the study outlines how modern street furniture can foster inclusive, mentally supportive environments. The results contribute to the development of public spaces that align with collective psychological expectations and promote well-being through thoughtful spatial and object design. Scientific novelty. This study proposes a comprehensive design approach that integrates street furniture with the spatial and aesthetic structure of urban park landscapes. It introduces the concept of a “dual-function environmental module” that simultaneously meets recreational, therapeutic, and visual needs of users. The research highlights how healing-oriented spatial zoning – through active and semiactive zones – combined with harmonized urban furniture placement can enhance user experience. The proposed model promotes a symbiotic relationship between aesthetics, functionality, and user interaction, which is underexplored in previous environmental design literature. Practical relevance. This study provides a targeted analysis of the integration of architectural materials, aesthetic principles, and functional requirements in the context of public health-oriented urban spaces. It highlights how these components can be cohesively designed to enhance the usability, accessibility, and sensory experience of outdoor public areas. Emphasizing the role of street furniture within health-conscious urban environments, the research proposes design strategies that establish a symbiotic relationship between built elements and the surrounding landscape. These strategies are informed by cultural identity, civic engagement, and visual harmony, offering practical insights for the development of inclusive, sustainable, and emotionally supportive public spaces.