Benchmark for NSW

Benchmark for NSW responds to the challenge of improving perceptions of safety in public spaces, particularly for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. Despite significant investment in urban infrastructure, fear and discomfort persist in many shared environments. This project aimed to identify spatial triggers, gather real-world data through sensor-enabled benches, and translate insights into inclusive, evidence-based design interventions. Working across government, academia, and global partners, the project navigated complex stakeholder needs, urban constraints, and the ethics of public data collection to deliver a scalable, high-impact model for civic design that goes beyond aesthetics to address systemic social inequities.

Benchmark combines civic design, public data, and inclusive research methods to reimagine how we understand safety in public space. The solution: smart urban benches embedded with sensors and signage that capture use patterns and public sentiment. Developed in collaboration with UNSW, MIT, and Transport for NSW, the design process included co-design workshops, stakeholder interviews, real-world installation, and live data collection. Key milestones included the fabrication and installation of prototypes, public feedback integration, and real-time data visualisation. Challenges included working with councils to secure public space access, ensuring ethical data practices, and translating diverse stakeholder insights into actionable, physical design outcomes.

Benchmark for NSW delivers tangible social and environmental impact by reimagining public seating as a platform for community safety, inclusivity, and sustainability. The benches are constructed entirely from durable, recycled plastic—diverting waste from landfill while creating low-maintenance, weather-resistant infrastructure suited to urban environments. Designed through collaboration with Transport for NSW, MIT, and UNSW, the project empowers communities and informs policy by integrating real-time data with inclusive, human-centred design. It offers a scalable, adaptable model for civic furniture that addresses gendered safety in public space while promoting circular economy principles and setting new benchmarks for sustainable design leadership in government infrastructure.

Benchmark for NSW is a smart urban furniture system that combines inclusive design with real-time data collection to address perceptions of safety in public spaces. The benches are constructed entirely from recycled plastic, selected for its durability, low maintenance, and environmental impact, visibly demonstrating circular economy principles in action. Each bench integrates discrete sensors that track occupancy, duration of use, and environmental conditions. Public-facing QR codes invite users to share experiences via anonymous digital surveys, providing both quantitative and qualitative insights. This data is visualised and analysed to inform urban policy and design responses. Designed through collaboration with UNSW, MIT, and Transport for NSW, the project prioritises community participation, particularly the voices of women and gender-diverse individuals who often feel excluded from public design processes. The design allows for flexible placement and easy replication across diverse urban settings. Subtle colour choices and ergonomic considerations support both comfort and visual neutrality, making the benches welcoming. Benchmark for NSW exemplifies how civic infrastructure can be a tool for equity, sustainability, and innovation, merging physical design with digital feedback loops to create safer, smarter public environments.