Put a fixed bench in a square and people will sit on it. Put movable chairs in the same square and people will stay. The difference is control.
The chair you can turn
A movable chair lets you choose the sun or the shade, the view or the conversation. It is a small freedom, and it changes how long people stay. Cities that tried it were surprised how few chairs went missing.
Colour as an invitation
Bright chairs are easy to see from across the square. They say that sitting down is allowed here, which is not obvious in many public spaces designed to keep people moving.
