Street furniture is no longer just a collection of benches, litter bins, or lampposts placed haphazardly. In recent years, the design of these elements has become a key tool for transforming cities , making them more accessible, efficient, and pleasant for their inhabitants. In Spain, several municipalities are leading this change with projects that combine aesthetics, functionality, and respect for the environment.
From the renovation of classic advertising structures in Benidorm to the installation of climate shelters in Barcelona, ​​and the incorporation of smart waste containers, street furniture is being redesigned to respond to current challenges : the climate crisis, the need for inclusion, and the demand for quality public spaces. Below, we review some of the most noteworthy initiatives.
Benidorm opts for efficient and accessible advertising panels
The Benidorm City Council has begun the gradual replacement of traditional advertising panels with new models made of stainless steel and tempered glass , featuring a clean-lined design that blends better into the urban landscape. The project, which began on the main access roads, is part of a plan to renovate all freestanding advertising structures throughout the city.
One of the most striking aspects is the improvement in energy efficiency: the LED lighting of the new advertising panels reduces electricity consumption by around 65% , with an installed power of less than 80 watts per unit. Furthermore, the design eliminates protruding elements and extends the vertical lines to the ground, facilitating pedestrian traffic and improving accessibility for people with reduced mobility or visual impairments. The Councilor for Public Space, Francis Muñoz, emphasized that this renovation consolidates a uniform image for street furniture throughout the city.
Barcelona and shade as furniture
In Barcelona, ​​the 'A l'ombra del TrencadÃs' project, winner of a 2024 city council urban challenge, demonstrates how street furniture can also be a solution to extreme heat . Designed by the architecture firm Arquitectura de Contacte, this prefabricated structure of wood and tensioned textiles is installed without leaving a trace on the ground and manages to reduce the air temperature by between 6 and 9 degrees Celsius. Inspired by the Eixample district's urban fabric and modernist trencadÃs mosaic, it offers benches, rest areas, and play areas under a single roof, transforming a sweltering corner into a meeting point.
These types of interventions, which are also being tested in Swedish cities with the modular 'Street Moves' system, highlight a paradigm shift: street furniture is no longer an isolated object but a social catalyst . As Arturo Lyon, an academic and architect , explains , a well-designed piece can transform a disused corner into a community space, improving the quality of life for residents.
Smart containers: furniture that manages waste
Another facet of urban furniture design is waste management. Nord Engineering, a company with over twenty-five years of experience, has created a new corporate structure in Spain to promote its 'Junior' system. The Junior Mini containers are made of 100% recyclable galvanized steel , and their compact design allows them to be installed in narrow streets or areas of high scenic value without compromising urban aesthetics. They incorporate features such as vandal-resistant pedals, soft-close mechanisms, and concealed anchoring, and can be customized with pictograms for the visually impaired.
The system also includes the 'Easy' automated bilateral lifting device, which integrates artificial intelligence, sensors, and 360° cameras, allowing a single operator to manage the emptying cycle from the cab . This technological platform connects waste collection with smart city management, offering Spanish municipalities a real opportunity to modernize their urban services.
In short, street furniture design in Spain is moving towards more sustainable, accessible models that are better connected to the needs of its citizens. The combination of durable materials, energy efficiency, and citizen participation is shaping more humane and functional public spaces , where every element contributes to improving the experience of those who use them daily.
