Urban furniture plays an important role in shaping how people experience public spaces. In busy transportation hubs, facilities must do more than provide basic functions; they should also support navigation, improve comfort, and make public services easier to access.
The renewal project in the Shanghai Railway Station area demonstrates how thoughtful design and smart technology can bring these functions together. Shanghai Zemso Urban Furniture Technology Co., Ltd. (ZEMSO) participated in the project, contributing smart wayfinding systems, solar bench, and integrated public service facilities.
A New Approach to Integrated Public Services
A highlight of the project is the integrated service space inspired by the magnolia, Shanghai’s city flower. Its design incorporates local cultural elements while bringing together community services, grid-based coordination, civic engagement, and volunteer support within a compact public facility.
Smart displays and bilingual guidance help users access information, while drinking water, charging facilities, and seating provide practical everyday conveniences.
By combining multiple functions in one space, the facility offers a more flexible approach to public service provision in a busy urban environment.
Urban Furniture Designed Around People’s Needs
The project also introduces ZEMSO’s Zhitu AI Guide and solar bench, extending the role of urban furniture beyond traditional infrastructure.
The AI Guide supports route inquiries, map navigation, and information access, helping passengers orient themselves within the station area. solar bench, featuring seat heating and USB charging, provides additional comfort and convenience while travelers wait.
These facilities address different needs within the same public environment: finding a destination, obtaining information, taking a break, and accessing essential services.
Combining Local Identity with Smart Technology
The magnolia-inspired service space illustrates how urban furniture can reflect local identity while serving practical purposes. Instead of focusing solely on appearance or individual device functions, the project brings together design, technology, and public service requirements.
Operational observations at the site indicate stable performance of the installed products under high passenger traffic, offering practical experience for future smart public-space applications.
Supporting the Next Generation of Urban Public Spaces
For ZEMSO, the Shanghai Railway Station project represents an approach to urban renewal that integrates intelligent systems with everyday public infrastructure. Its broader product portfolio includes smart bus shelters, smart seating, digital wayfinding systems, and intelligent direction-finding terminals.
Looking ahead, ZEMSO will continue exploring applications across transportation hubs, public transit networks, communities, parks, and commercial districts, developing solutions that balance technological innovation, functional performance, and urban design.
By making public facilities more intelligent, accessible, and responsive to everyday needs, cities can create public spaces that serve people more effectively.
