In this section, we answer frequently asked questions from local authorities, associations, the public and our clients. We will gradually explore different parts of the field and briefly explain key terms and fundamental issues. If you are unsure about something, you can also contact us with your question.

When does a city need a concept, manual, master plan, standard or catalogue of typical solutions?

A concept sets the direction, a master plan defines a network or system, a manual establishes principles, and a standard specifies repeatable parameters. The right tool depends on whether strategy, coordination or detail is needed.

What should a public-space design manual contain, and how should its scope be adapted to the size of the municipality?

The manual should describe types of places, shared principles, materials, greenery, water, transport and the preparation process. Its scope should reflect the municipality’s capacity and frequency of investment.

Who should be involved in creating the manual, and how can officials, designers and developers be encouraged to use it in practice?

Municipal departments responsible for investment, transport, property and maintenance should be involved, together with external designers. Practical examples, training and links to project approval processes will support its use.

How can the manual be connected to spatial planning, investment projects, budgets and public procurement?

The manual’s requirements must be incorporated into briefs, budgets, contracts and review points. Without a connection to everyday processes, it will remain merely an advisory document.

How can an appropriate level of authority be given to the manual while leaving room for innovation and individual solutions?

Objectives, interfaces and minimum quality should be binding, while the specific solution can remain open. A departure from the manual should be possible when supported by professional reasoning.

How can clear standards be created for streets, pavements, greenery, water, lighting and street furniture?

Standards should use consistent sections, parameters and a catalogue of tested details. They must also cover repairs, phased implementation and maintenance requirements.

What should a concept for public spaces, greenery, transport, lighting or urban wayfinding contain?

Each concept should include an analysis, target state, spatial priorities, measures, responsibilities and costs. It must be coordinated with other disciplines and investments.

How can a manual bring consistency to municipal investments without causing every place to lose its individuality?

The fundamental principles, material logic and technical quality should be consistent. The character of a particular place can be preserved through its individual programme, landscaping and architectural design.

How should municipal staff be trained, lessons from completed projects collected and the document updated regularly?

Training should use real projects and feedback from maintenance teams. Updates should take place at clear intervals and retain a transparent record of changes.

How can the effectiveness of a manual be evaluated and the document presented clearly to citizens, designers and developers?

Its use, the quality and cost of completed projects, and recurring problems should be monitored. The public version should be clear, searchable and supported by illustrative examples.

How should street furniture be selected according to the character of a place, users’ needs, durability, repairability and price?

Selection should reflect patterns of use, climate, vandalism, repairability and the needs of different users. Price should include installation, maintenance and spare parts.

When does a city need a unified range of street furniture, and when is an individual or bespoke solution more suitable?

A unified range simplifies management and creates a calm visual foundation. A bespoke element makes sense in an important location or where a catalogue solution does not meet the need.

Where should benches be placed, and how do their shape, height, backrests and armrests affect usability for older people and other groups?

Benches belong near destinations, in both shade and sunlight, and at regular intervals. Backrests, armrests and a suitable seat height are particularly important for older people.

How many litter bins does a public space need, and how can waste separation be provided without creating visual clutter?

The number of bins should reflect the intensity of use and the cleaning regime. Waste separation must be simple, clear and consistent; otherwise, it leads to contamination.

How should bicycle racks, barriers, bollards and other small elements be positioned so that they do not create obstacles?

Elements must not narrow the clear walking route or complicate maintenance. Bicycle racks should support the frame, allow secure locking and be located close to the destination.

How can visual clutter be prevented and street furniture, utility cabinets, traffic signs and advertising coordinated?

All elements should be coordinated in a single drawing and their number limited. Utility cabinets and advertising should be incorporated into a shared set of rules.

How can public lighting be designed to support safety without causing glare or excessive light pollution?

Lighting should illuminate faces, routes and obstacles without glare or upward spill. Its intensity and colour temperature should be selected according to the function and night-time environment.

How can monuments, significant buildings, parks and places with night-time activity be illuminated sensitively?

Lighting should emphasise important features while retaining areas of shadow. Glare affecting residents, disturbance to wildlife and unnecessary night-time operation must be limited.

How can a clear wayfinding system be created for local people, visitors and those with visual or cognitive impairments?

The system needs a clear hierarchy of destinations, legible type, strong contrast and consistent placement. Tactile, audible and simple visual information improves accessibility.

How can information boards be unified and long-term care of street furniture, lighting and wayfinding elements established?

A consistent graphic and construction system simplifies additions and repairs. The responsible manager needs an inventory of elements, spare parts, an inspection cycle and a renewal budget.

What does a child-friendly city look like, and how can we find out whether children can move around it independently?

A child-friendly city offers safe routes, a variety of destinations, contact with nature and opportunities for independence. It should be assessed from a child’s perspective, not only through traffic statistics.

How can places where children feel unsafe be mapped and the findings translated into specific measures?

Walks, mapping activities with children, observation and interviews with parents and schools all help. The results should be translated into specific locations, responsibilities and deadlines.

How can a safe route to school be designed and morning car traffic outside school buildings reduced?

The route needs traffic calming, continuous pavements and safe crossings. Managed drop-off, a school street and support for walking or cycling can improve the area immediately outside the school.

What is a school street, where should one be introduced, and how should its performance be evaluated?

A school street temporarily restricts motor traffic during arrival and departure times. It should have a clear operating regime, exemptions, supervision and an evaluation of its impacts.

How can children and teenagers be involved meaningfully in planning streets, parks, school grounds and the city as a whole?

Children need a clear and understandable task, fieldwork and feedback. Their insights should influence real decisions rather than serve merely as an accompanying activity.

How should playgrounds be designed for different age groups, disabled children and accompanying adults?

A playground should offer different levels of challenge, sensory experiences, shade, seating and accessible areas. Accompanying adults need clear views, comfort and opportunities for social contact.

When do children need a fenced playground, and how can play be integrated into ordinary streets, squares and parks?

Fencing is appropriate where there is a genuine risk, not as an automatic solution. Play elements, landform and water can form a natural part of parks, streets and squares.

How can places be created for teenagers while moving beyond the idea that their presence in public space is a problem?

Teenagers need accessible places without a compulsory programme, where they can sit, exercise and spend time together. These places should be designed directly with them.

How can space be provided for informal and adventurous play, contact with nature, shade and water?

Adventurous play needs variety and acceptable risk rather than complete sterility. Natural materials, varied terrain, water and open areas encourage imagination.

How can the area around a school be used for learning, and how can a city’s child-friendliness be evaluated over time?

The school surroundings can serve as an outdoor classroom, garden and community space. Evaluation should monitor independent mobility, safety, access to play and children’s own experiences.

Who will look after a new place or building, and why should the future manager be involved during the design process?

The manager understands operations, capacity and common failures and should therefore influence the selection of materials and the accessibility of elements. Responsibility and budget must be clear before implementation.

How can a realistic maintenance, renewal and funding plan be created for the entire life cycle of a public space?

The plan should define routine tasks, inspections, the lifespan of individual elements, costs and renewal dates. Funding should be distributed across a multi-year budget.

How should materials, products and plants be selected according to lifespan, repairability, spare-part availability and maintenance costs?

The total cost of ownership, availability of servicing and the possibility of local repair should all be considered. A durable standard element is often better value than a cheap product with no replacement parts.

How can a high-quality space be prevented from gradually filling up with signs, barriers, advertising and mismatched additions?

Every new element should be coordinated and assessed for genuine necessity. The manager of the space needs the authority to reject inconsistent or duplicate interventions.

How should new trees, urban greenery and irrigation be maintained, particularly during the first few years after implementation?

The first years require regular watering, checks of tree supports, formative pruning and replenishment of mulch. Aftercare must be a separately funded part of the contract.

How should permeable surfaces, rain gardens, swales and other blue-green infrastructure elements be maintained?

The elements need inspections for sediment, vegetation, permeability and safe overflow. The manager must understand how they function, as routine maintenance performed incorrectly can damage the system.

How can damaged street furniture, lighting and surfaces be repaired quickly, and how should vandalism be addressed proportionately?

Easy fault reporting, a stock of spare parts and defined response times all help. Vandalism should be addressed through rapid repair, durable design and natural surveillance.

How can residents be involved in caring for a place while clearly distinguishing voluntary help from the municipality’s responsibility?

Residents can help with small-scale care and programming when they have support and a clear agreement. Safety, specialist maintenance and basic cleanliness remain the municipality’s responsibility.

How should standards for cleaning, regular inspections, documentation of installed elements and high-quality repairs be established?

The standard should define inspection frequency, the required condition, record-keeping procedures and the quality of repairs. Documentation of materials and details helps prevent unsuitable replacements.

How can user feedback be collected and continuous renewal planned so that a project still functions well in twenty years?

Feedback should be combined with regular technical inspections and operational data. Renewal should be planned before failures cause the entire place to lose its function.

How do urban design, architecture and landscape affect physical health, mental wellbeing and everyday stress?

The environment influences physical activity, sleep, stress, social contact and exposure to noise and pollution. High-quality planning can support health without requiring individuals to make a conscious decision each time.

What is a healthy city, and how can the environment naturally encourage walking, physical activity and time outdoors?

A healthy city enables safe walking, cycling and outdoor activity and provides accessible services. Health objectives should be reflected in transport, housing, greenery and investment.

Why is contact with nature important, and how can greenery and water be brought closer to homes, schools and workplaces?

Regular contact with nature supports the restoration of attention and cools the surrounding area. Everyday access to smaller green spaces is just as important as access to larger parks.

How can calm places and quiet areas be created in a busy city while reducing noise pollution?

Quiet places should be mapped and protected from new sources of noise. Traffic calming, screening, suitable land uses and high-quality courtyards all help.

How can the arrangement of a city and its transport system help improve air quality?

Lower-emission transport, shorter journeys and more greenery improve air quality, as does controlling local sources of pollution. The effectiveness of measures should be verified through monitoring.

How can public spaces be designed to support social contact and relaxation and reduce loneliness?

A space should offer seating, comfort, clear sightlines and a choice between company and privacy. Small everyday encounters matter more than major events alone.

How does the environment affect people’s sense of safety, and why do people walk more often in some streets?

The presence of other people, good lighting, legible routes and active surroundings all strengthen the sense of safety. Direct, comfortable routes with appealing destinations encourage walking.

How should the surroundings of hospitals and care homes, as well as therapeutic gardens, be designed for patients, visitors and staff?

The surroundings should provide calm, greenery, clear wayfinding, step-free access and space for companions. Staff need places to rest that are just as good as those provided for patients.

How can residents’ wellbeing be measured and quality of life compared across different parts of a city?

Wellbeing is measured through a combination of surveys and data on health, accessibility, physical activity, noise, greenery and social relationships. Differences between neighbourhoods reveal inequalities.

How can wellbeing be included among the criteria for public investment, and how can we verify whether transforming a place genuinely improved people’s lives?

Every major investment can be assessed for its effects on health, physical activity, relationships and stress. After completion, change should be measured using the same indicators as before the project.