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| Just a Pedestrian on the Street |
Do you ever go out for a walk on the streets of your city and eventually feel too exhausted to even put one step forward and wish there is a bench to relax nearby, or wish that a bollard or two would be better to light up your way during an evening walk? Or wished there were proper signage identifying each street so that you didn't get lost in the labyrinth of identical streets or that the bus-stop was just nearby instead of a couple of blocks away!
The bench, bollards, sign board, bus-stop...does that ring a bell? What I am talking about here, are the so-called street furnitures, which are an essential element of any cityscape.
So what does a Street furniture constitute?
Street furniture includes benches, traffic barriers, bollards, flower beds, post boxes, phone boxes, street lamps, memorials, traffic lights, traffic signs, bus stops, taxi stands, public sculptures, fountains, information kiosks, trash bins and such small objects or equipment installed on the street for the public. Street furniture, are as important as buildings, that render a character to the city.
The bench, bollards, sign board, bus-stop...does that ring a bell? What I am talking about here, are the so-called street furnitures, which are an essential element of any cityscape.
So what does a Street furniture constitute?
Street furniture includes benches, traffic barriers, bollards, flower beds, post boxes, phone boxes, street lamps, memorials, traffic lights, traffic signs, bus stops, taxi stands, public sculptures, fountains, information kiosks, trash bins and such small objects or equipment installed on the street for the public. Street furniture, are as important as buildings, that render a character to the city.
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| A sidewalk in Muscat: With flowerbeds & lawns, line of palm trees, a bus-stop, entry to the subway |
Compared to Dubai, (I always tend to make comparisons with the city of Dubai since it is a global city boasting of excellent Infrastructure and Architecture, in the Gulf region especially, and I have experienced the many advantages of living in the city) which has faced rapid urbanisation due to ambitious development strategies of its government, the pace of urban development in Muscat is slow. The result of slow urbanization is reflected in its urbanscape through its built forms and streetscapes. Though many buildings here are excellent examples of Modern Architecture and Quality Construction, and the roads reflect good quality infrastructure that is exemplified by the roads even in the remote mountainous regions, it will probably take several years more to develop its urbanscape further at par with the world's best.
Out for a walk on the street of Muscat, many a times I have noticed these street furnitures, which have captured my attention because of its apt location, crisp and simple design, and neatness. These are some inanimate objects bearing the brunt of nature and man both. They stand as a testimony to the city's changing history and architecture. Many are a work of art designed specifically by architects and designers. Here, in Muscat, each of them have been integrated into the cityscape thoughtfully and has indeed enhanced the quality of living for its citizens.
Signage:
Talking about signage...now that's a big disappointment. The spellings on the road signage are a pain even to the residents here since they are spelled differently in various signboards. For example, you will find a signage that will sometimes spell the residential area of 'Athaiba' as Udhaiba, Adhaiba, Azaiba and more. These multi-spellings simply annoyed us in the beginning when we arrived new in the city as we thought they were different locations and found it difficult to adjust the GPS on our car. The signage on the road are simple, with directions in both Arabic and English, and the fonts are clearly visible from the required distance. But the lanes are not clearly identified, and many a times are without any signage.
Out for a walk on the street of Muscat, many a times I have noticed these street furnitures, which have captured my attention because of its apt location, crisp and simple design, and neatness. These are some inanimate objects bearing the brunt of nature and man both. They stand as a testimony to the city's changing history and architecture. Many are a work of art designed specifically by architects and designers. Here, in Muscat, each of them have been integrated into the cityscape thoughtfully and has indeed enhanced the quality of living for its citizens.
Signage:
Talking about signage...now that's a big disappointment. The spellings on the road signage are a pain even to the residents here since they are spelled differently in various signboards. For example, you will find a signage that will sometimes spell the residential area of 'Athaiba' as Udhaiba, Adhaiba, Azaiba and more. These multi-spellings simply annoyed us in the beginning when we arrived new in the city as we thought they were different locations and found it difficult to adjust the GPS on our car. The signage on the road are simple, with directions in both Arabic and English, and the fonts are clearly visible from the required distance. But the lanes are not clearly identified, and many a times are without any signage.
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| Left Inset: Road signage indicating directions Right Inset: Stop sign and lane no. |
Walking through the streets, I found an Arabic signage in front of an important Ministry building, that kept me guessing what it was all about. Lesson for me: Need to learn Arabic soon! On the same street, I discovered another board of signage of important Ministry buildings again, topped on one another, and hidden behind a large tree. Now why install the signage at all if it has to be hidden behind the trees? Another signage by the walkway, installed on a short pole, indicated a bus to slow down for there was a deer park ahead, installed at two places some few meters apart. I guess that the Municipality forgot to remove those signage for all I know is that there is a museum in the locality but no deer park. Either way, the signage is too insignificant and a bus driver driving at speed on that road will be unable to gather even a faint glimpse of that signage.
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| Left Inset: A signage in front of a Ministry building Middle Inset: Signage hidden behind large trees Right Inset: Signage indicating a bus to slow down ahead |
Pedestrian Subway:
One fine day I walked into a pedestrian subway, curious to see what laid beneath, and to my dismay, I found the subway clean and absolutely safe. There were other people too using it unfazed. Being from India, this was surprising indeed. In India, a woman, walking on the streets all alone would not be safe at all and to think of her walking all alone into a subway is just unimaginable! Here, I find expat women from different countries taking a walk on the streets unfalteringly during any time of the day, without any fear or concern. In India, how many cities can boast of so much of safety or freedom for women?
One fine day I walked into a pedestrian subway, curious to see what laid beneath, and to my dismay, I found the subway clean and absolutely safe. There were other people too using it unfazed. Being from India, this was surprising indeed. In India, a woman, walking on the streets all alone would not be safe at all and to think of her walking all alone into a subway is just unimaginable! Here, I find expat women from different countries taking a walk on the streets unfalteringly during any time of the day, without any fear or concern. In India, how many cities can boast of so much of safety or freedom for women?
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Left Inset - Signage near a subway entry, a litter bin next to the signage
Right Inset - Stairway leading to the pedestrian subway
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The street lights here, are simply beautiful and blend with the rich historic character of the city and its lanes, rendering the city an antique look. The black metal lamp posts have beautiful ornamental base - some installed over concrete bases while some have a stone base, and the lampshades are in varying shapes and sizes. I have noticed similar metal lamps in public parks too.
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| From L to R Inset 1: Metal lights on the road divider Inset 2: A lamp post in a boulevard laid amidst flowers Inset 3: A lamp post in a public park on a stone base Inset 4: Series of lamp posts on a beach-side walkway |
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| Base of a metal lamp post that reads: 'Dwarka Mart Indore' |
While writing this just a thought crossed my mind. Oman depends on oil and gas for producing electricity despite being located in the sun belt. But these being non-renewable sources of energy they won't last long. Other countries in the Gulf region, like the UAE and Qatar, aim to generate at least 20% of their electricity using renewable sources of energy by 2024. This makes me wonder why Oman is behind them despite having the solar advantage!
Sculptures, Flowerbeds and Fountains:
A lot of sculptural work, found all around the city, is of great historical and national importance. As I have mentioned in my earlier posts about roundabouts in Muscat, they reflect the country's history and culture. For example, seen in the picture below, at just near the entrance of a Ministry building, is a sculpture adorned with flower beds all around and a layer of fountains. The centrepiece on the top of the sculpture is Oman's national emblem that comprises of a khanjar (dagger) in a sheath superimposed on two crossed swords.
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| Left Inset - A Sculpture with Fountains, Flowerbeds, and Oman's National Emblem Right Inset - Closeup of Oman's National Emblem with Cross-sword and Dagger |
Walking as a pedestrian on the streets here is a pleasant experience indeed, for every day I discover something new, something of historic significance to the city or some beautiful piece of art in the city. Below are pictures of a fountain and some sculptures. The right inset shows two colorful sculpted landmarks at the entrance of a road. Each has a pitcher as the centerpiece - indicates pottery as an important ancient industrial activity of the Omanis.
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| Left Inset: A fountain Middle Inset: A sculpture showing day and time Right Inset: Two sculptures each laid at the entrance of a road |
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| Left Inset: A round stone flower bed Right Inset: An oblong shaped stone flower bed |
Gazebos:
A gazebo is just what one would look for after taking a long walk in the morning for a short rest, or for relaxing in the evening, at the same time watching all the pedestrian activity. Note the beautifully designed metal work of the gazebo.
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| Left Inset: A series of Gazebos Middle Inset: Close up of a Gazebo overlooking a road Right Inset: A wooden trellis |
Litter Bins:
What I love about the streets here is the cleanliness of the streets and immaculate maintenance by the Municipality. So, as I walk and munch my snack bar, I don't have to think about the wrapper in my hand - for I can throw them in any of the litter bins on the way. The streets have litter bins of all shapes and sizes, installed at regular intervals.
Bus-Shelters:
Another credit for the beautiful bus-stops goes to the Municipality. Though Oman lacks a public transport system and people here mostly use private transport, a bus-shelter like the one shown in the picture below, gives a pedestrian like me, the much-needed respite from the hot sun.
Street Panels:
The streets are integrated with advertising boards and panels, which do not in any way obscure the view of the road or the buildings. They pop up on the streets in a very subtle manner and yet effectively convey the required message.
What I love about the streets here is the cleanliness of the streets and immaculate maintenance by the Municipality. So, as I walk and munch my snack bar, I don't have to think about the wrapper in my hand - for I can throw them in any of the litter bins on the way. The streets have litter bins of all shapes and sizes, installed at regular intervals.
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| Left Inset: A trash bin by the bus shelter Middle Inset: A stone covering over a trash bin Right Inset: Commonly found trash bins all over Muscat |
Another credit for the beautiful bus-stops goes to the Municipality. Though Oman lacks a public transport system and people here mostly use private transport, a bus-shelter like the one shown in the picture below, gives a pedestrian like me, the much-needed respite from the hot sun.
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| Left Inset -The Bus Shelter - *1 Right Inset - Muscat Municipality Logo on the pole |
The streets are integrated with advertising boards and panels, which do not in any way obscure the view of the road or the buildings. They pop up on the streets in a very subtle manner and yet effectively convey the required message.
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| Left Inset - Advertising panel laid on a flower-bed - *2 Right Inset - City information panel laid on a green stretch - *3 |
Note: Pictures-*1,2 & 3 (the bus-shelter and the advertising panels) show street furniture, that have been customized to integrate with the city's architectural style. They have been designed by a renowned French designer Patrick Jouin from JCDecaux (no. 1 outdoor advertising company in the world). JCDecaux has signed a 20-year street furniture contract with Muscat Municipality covering installation and maintenance of the street furniture, including bus shelters, street name poles, benches and litter bins, city information panels, and automatic public toilets.
During my walks, I didn't come across any phone booths though they are installed outside all the public parks and malls. I suppose every person here has a personal mobile so the need for phone booths is eliminated.
A picture cannot say it all. It cannot capture the wet smell of grass, the redolent air of a morning in the season of spring, the shadows cowering under the trees, the rumbling noise of countless wheels on the road, and so on...So here's what I penned down what I couldn't capture with my camera. Everything around me slowly seemed to unravel some story while I just walked as a pedestrian on the street.
During my walks, I didn't come across any phone booths though they are installed outside all the public parks and malls. I suppose every person here has a personal mobile so the need for phone booths is eliminated.
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A picture cannot say it all. It cannot capture the wet smell of grass, the redolent air of a morning in the season of spring, the shadows cowering under the trees, the rumbling noise of countless wheels on the road, and so on...So here's what I penned down what I couldn't capture with my camera. Everything around me slowly seemed to unravel some story while I just walked as a pedestrian on the street.
Just a Pedestrian on the Street
I strolled along the cobbled streets,
Bordered by high stone walls and trees,
The labyrinth of long lanes,
Tall mansions with glass panes,
Each had a story to reveal,
Some eternal, some ephemeral.
Fragrant flowers and leafy bowers,
Rendered the street with thousand colors.
An empty wooden bench for years was reinforced,
With many tender moments that it endorsed.
The bright lights from a rugged lamp,
Glimmered on the auburn hair of a tramp.
A little girl holding the hands of her father,
Hustled across the street without a sign of fear.
A woman waiting by the bus stand,
Impatiently fidgeted with a bag in hand.
A dusty car parked near a tree,
Was stencilled with doodles for all to see.
I strolled along the cobbled streets,
Bordered by high stone walls and trees,
That camouflaged the houses of the filthy rich,
Many fellows secretly wished to snitch.
I heard the noises on the sidewalk,
Whispers of strangers and some small talk,
I wandered and wondered so discreet,
As just a pedestrian on the street.
I strolled along the cobbled streets,
Bordered by high stone walls and trees,
The labyrinth of long lanes,
Tall mansions with glass panes,
Each had a story to reveal,
Some eternal, some ephemeral.
Fragrant flowers and leafy bowers,
Rendered the street with thousand colors.
An empty wooden bench for years was reinforced,
With many tender moments that it endorsed.
The bright lights from a rugged lamp,
Glimmered on the auburn hair of a tramp.
A little girl holding the hands of her father,
Hustled across the street without a sign of fear.
A woman waiting by the bus stand,
Impatiently fidgeted with a bag in hand.
A dusty car parked near a tree,
Was stencilled with doodles for all to see.
I strolled along the cobbled streets,
Bordered by high stone walls and trees,
That camouflaged the houses of the filthy rich,
Many fellows secretly wished to snitch.
I heard the noises on the sidewalk,
Whispers of strangers and some small talk,
I wandered and wondered so discreet,
As just a pedestrian on the street.
sources referred:
http://www.jcdecauxme.com/ourMedia_oman.html
http://gulfnews.com/business/media-marketing/jcdecaux-wins-muscat-advertising-contract-1.988227
muscatdaily.com
timesofoman.com
ijret.org
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