City Objects

A catalog of thoughtful objects cities should steal from by Nikki Sylianteng. Get updates on Twitter.

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Noise meters next to construction site in Tokyo neighborhood. The sound ordinance in Japan states that noise levels should be 60 dB during the day and 50 dB at night.

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It’s moving day in South Korea!

(via Renee Inhae Lee)

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It’s moving day in Milan!

(Submitted by @serakoo)

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Well-positioned hand dryer blows excess water down the drain, or at least in that general direction as opposed to all over the bathroom wall. Found at A/D/O in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

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A rock-operated self-closing barn door. Crude but effective.

Found at a wine farm near Cape Town.

(via Jessica Chiang)

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There are ticket kiosks in Hong Kong where the screen is embedded within a subway map. Tapping a stop displays fare and option to buy.

I was just showing my friend where we were going. I didn’t even know it would do anything.

(via Steven Bennett)

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A very efficient detergent bottle. Simply squeeze to measure, then pour. 

Found in Japan.

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A water fountain for you, your child, your dog, and your feet. Found in Toronto, ON.

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Minimum viable trashcans. Found in Paris.

(via @weelingsoh)

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This energy efficient escalator stops when no one’s using it and only starts again when someone approaches it. According to our reader Nitin Alabur, it also reduces wear and tear which is the number one reason escalators break down. 

Found in Narita International Airport in Japan.

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A crosswalk that encourages you to slow down and look toward oncoming cars. Found in Madeira, Portugal.

(via @tinabeans)

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If you’re lost in Central Park, look to the lamp posts! The 1,600 lamp posts in the park serve as an old fashioned GPS. 

“Designed by Henry Bacon in 1907, each of the lights features an embossed or painted set of numbers on the base. The first two or three digits tell you the closest cross-street. If the last number is odd, you’re on the West Side of Manhattan; an even number designates the East Side.”

(via New York Post)

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Bike lifts in Trondheim, Norway help cyclists up steep slopes, and end up being used by stroller-pushers and scooter-riders too.

(via CycloCable and CityLab)

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Copenhagen has bike rails at intersections that cyclists can just hold on to or rest their foot on. This means cyclists don’t have to get off their seat or put their foot down at the red light. The text on the foot rest says “Hi cyclist! Rest your foot here and thank you for cycling in the city”

(via copenhagenize.eu)

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Trash cans for cyclists that are tilted. Found in Copenhagen.

(via @adrianleb / copenhagenize.eu)

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A basket for your bag. Found at Eggs N’ Things in Tokyo.

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A sliver of a ramp for bikes. Found in Denmark.

(via copenhagenize.eu)