What if a bench was more than just a bench?
In this episode of Podparks, host Maria Burnett sits down with Daniela Bertino, international development lead for Agoramakers, for a lively, unfiltered conversation about public space, beauty, and belonging. From benches turned skateparks to lighting that shapes how we feel in a city, Daniela shares stories and reflections from a career spent helping cities design for people.
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Recorded in the Middle East with laughter, background ambience, and spontaneity intact, this episode explores how design can foster dignity, inclusion and joy. Beauty in public space is not just nice to have. It is deeply meaningful. One highlight is a story about a dancer in Paris who transforms a simple lighting pole into a stage.
It’s a powerful reminder that when we design with care and creativity, people will find their own ways to bring public spaces to life. Daniela also reflects on movements like guerrilla gardening, where everyday citizens reclaim forgotten urban corners and turn them into vibrant green pockets of community care.
Topics include:
- Why benches, bins and lighting matter more than we think
- Designing for emotional impact, not just function
- Stories from Italy, Colombia and the Gulf
- Creating places that are safe, welcoming and built to last
- Sustainability, accessibility and unexpected uses of public design
- The intersection of culture, community and creativity in urban space
This podcast is only one of the many resources available inside the WUP member platform. Discover more resources and connect with park professionals around the world at www.worldurbanparks.org
Bio for Metalco
Since 1984, Metalco has become one of the largest street furniture manufacturers in the world: leader in designing outdoor and indoor solutions for public and private spaces. The company develops modular products (which include benches, planters, bollards, litter bins, shelters, etc.) that can be combined to offer almost unlimited number of customized solutions and fit different space layouts.
Metalco’s goal is to promote the new vision of street furniture, meant as Social Design for Real Life, a tool to respond to real architectural and cultural needs all around the world, inspiring urban furniture projects and bringing value to communities. The company has a strong focus on sustainable design, which includes recyclable materials and energy-efficient production processes, combined with an environmentally friendly approach to the use of raw materials. Alongside this, Metalco also provides design services to its customers who are looking for unique street furniture designs.
Social media:
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Bio for Agoramakers
Agora Makers focuses on the design and manufacture of street furniture and lighting. It is an exceptional group of renowned brands such as GHM, Eclatec, Metalco, Bellitalia, CityDesign and My Equilibria, joining forces to redefine spaces for the public.
They all share the same vision: to transform urban spaces into places dedicated to people, where functionality meets aesthetics and innovation meets sustainability. Each brand in our group offers a unique experience, forming a cohesive and diverse ecosystem at the service of planners, designers and architects.
Together, AGORA-MAKERS is redefining the boundaries of creativity and engineering to create outdoor environments that inspire, connect and improve everyday life. Agora Makers brings together exceptional talents to shape a more enjoyable, sustainable and inspiring urban world.
Social media:
LinkedIn
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