Summer will return to Sydney City Council early this year with striped deckchairs back in the heart of the city this week to encourage people to take time out, mingle and relax in underused public spaces.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said 190 pieces of furniture including deck chairs, café chairs and tables with umbrellas will be rolled out for the next six months in Barrack Street, Wynyard and Sydney Square, next to the Town Hall.
“We were overwhelmed by the positive response when we tried out this pop-up outdoor seating earlier this year with around 3,000 people a week using the spaces,” she said.
“Chairs in squares quickly became favourite new meeting spots for people to lounge at lunch, read a book, meet a friend or escape air-conditioned offices.”
The quirky project was inspired by New York City’s successful initiative to return city streets to the people by breathing new life into underused spaces.
“Some 600,000 people move through our city every day, many barely taking any time out.
“We want to encourage people to stop and smell the roses – linger, talk with each other or have some quiet time and enjoy our beautiful city.”
“Through Sustainable Sydney 2030 we’re creating a lively, vibrant and buzzing city centre which allows everyone to take some time for enjoyment.”
