York Region
Street Furniture
Regional Municipality of York, York Region
York Region, officially known as the Regional Municipality of York, is one of Canada’s most populous and economically dynamic regions. Comprising nine municipalities, its geographic diversity encompasses urban, suburban, and rural communities, all interconnected by a well-developed transportation network, including major highways, commuter rail services, York Region Transit (YRT), and the VIVA public transit system.
A recognized leader in street furniture programs, KDA was entrusted with a significant role in enhancing York Region’s urban landscape. In this capacity, KDA assumed responsibility for research, strategic planning, design and development, and the facilitation of consultation workshops that brought together York Region’s nine distinct municipalities, collectively operating under the regional transit services of YRT and VIVA. Although each of these municipalities possesses its own unique character, culture, and, in some instances, heritage districts, KDA diligently approached the complex challenge of aligning its designs with the unique objectives of each community while preserving a cohesive visual identity.
KDA’s thoughtfully designed program for York Region encompasses six key furniture pieces, each available in various configurations and carefully tailored to address the diverse needs and challenges of the Region. These elements play a vital role in enhancing streetscapes, contributing to the creation of complete, urbanized environments that cater to transit users, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
Timeless Design, On-Going Revenues
The street furniture program KDA designed for York Region is based on a timeless, contemporary design approach that can be efficiently built and installed. The system, which includes transit shelters, benches, litter receptacles, bike racks and shelters, and public information pillars, is modular in approach with the flexibility to function in different configurations and sizes.
Many of the transit shelters and litter receptacles have been designed to provide advertising displays providing York Region with additional yearly revenues to invest in other urban beautification initiatives.
Colour & Form Unite the Transit Systems
A customized graduated colour accent aligns with and complements the typography and branding of both YRT and VIVA. The design of the furniture elements incorporates dynamic angles and soft radius details, subtly harmonizing with the aesthetics of York Region’s transit systems.
KDA’s solution bridges the gap between municipalities and transit delivery systems, resulting in shared furniture amenities that enhance streetscape design continuity.
KDA’s Jeremy Kramer considers numerous factors and facets in his recommendations spanning from context, scale, style, theming, and placement with his hallmark impeccable taste. He is most creative in his approach to provide his clients with optimal design; he exudes a balanced combination of design vision, patience in explaining his rationale, and consideration for various stakeholder concerns and needs.
Furniture
Amenities
Expanding
the Program
Expanding KDA’s street furniture program
Building on this program’s success, KDA served as a subconsultant on the South Yonge Street Corridor Streetscape Master Plan to develop new streetscape planning standards. These expanded standards address gateways to character areas, traffic signage, street signs, and wayfinding. These guidelines are now playing a crucial role in urban planning efforts, particularly in the rapidly growing areas of Vaughan and Markham, significantly enhancing the public realm.