Sojourn in Safety and Style
“The vitality of a city is closely linked to people being out and about on foot for many purposes. Beyond walking for access to goods and services, these other activities in the urban space are collectively termed “sojourning”. Walking and sojourning are at the heart of urban life and contribute to liveable, attractive, prosperous and sustainable cities” (International Transport Forum, 2011).
So, if walking and sojourning make for liveable, attractive, prosperous and sustainable cities, the question to ask is: how can urban spaces create conditions conducive to walking and sojourning?
Firstly, a well-connected network of pedestrian walkways is key. Such a network provides easy access to public transport facilities and urban points of interest. As it is important to keep the pedestrian network away from high-speed traffic, separate pedestrian, bike and car pathways minimise the risk of accidents. Secondly, a well-designed pedestrian walkway minimises the effects of geographical, topographical, and physical barriers to pedestrian mobility. Walking surfaces must be properly paved and graded to aid mobility for a variety of people—such as those using walking aids, the elderly and children. Thirdly, it is vital to reduce the risk of slips and falls. To do this, walking surfaces must be paved with slip resistant materials that are able to withstand the pressure and volume of pedestrian traffic, as well as exposure to the weather. Handrails and foot rails can assist in breaking falls and reducing accidents, and must be installed where appropriate. Finally, aesthetics play a vital role, as neatness, cleanliness and well-maintained urban spaces make for an attractive and appealing destination.
How Has Paige Stainless Contributed to Urban Public Safety?
Paige Stainless is proud to have contributed to urban public safety on many occasions throughout our history. Our products are highly visible and heavily relied upon by pedestrians in many noteworthy public spaces. For example, we have supplied and installed slip-resistant walkways at Queensland University of Technology; linear drainage and water feature grates in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall, to ensure the forecourts are well drained and safe for users at all times; as well as hand rails, balustrades, street furniture and fencing at swimming pool and recreational area at Kings Beach, on the Sunshine Coast.
We can also custom make other products for on-site installation or off-site assembly, as per the legislations relevant to your city. Our product range covers the entire spectrum of installations that might be called upon to facilitate pedestrian safety in urban spaces such as:
- Entry mats and threshold drains
- Walkways, boardwalks and catwalks
- Handrails, foot rails, grab rails, fencing and balustrading
- Bollards and signage
- Tree grates and landscaping drainage
- Drainage channels and grates for water features, water parks and water sculptures
Paige Stainless—Our Aesthetic and Our Promise
At Paige Stainless Fabrications, all our products are made from Australian stainless steel. This ensures our products bring in the luxurious aesthetic associated with high quality steel. The material properties of stainless steel bring reassurance, as the material is long lasting, durable, corrosion and rust free. Maintenance and cleaning is a breeze and so if you are in the market for products that will lift the pedestrian experience of your urban space, give us a call! Our friendly team is ready to assist in all stages of design, construction and maintenance.
References: International Transport Forum. (2011). Pedestrian safety, urban space and health: Research report summary document.