Let's get straight to the point: The information revealed by Le Figaro is surprising, even frustrating. Because if there's one thing that shocks as much as their elongated shape and low height, it's their price. For benches mocked online as "giant dog poop" or "albino churros," the bill stings a bit.
These benches are part of the broader project of Low Traffic Zone (ZTL) in downtown Lyon. Urban furniture that is “temporary yet durable,” according to the Metropolis. Designed to last 20 years, modular and easily movable, these elements are part of a long-term vision. However, the temporal aspect of the concept struggles to convince in the face of an aesthetics that remains divisive. We are told...They might eventually become "familiar"… But does that mean we’ll get attached to them, or just resign ourselves to it?
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A global project of 1.5 million euros
Behind the sausages lies a much larger envelope: 1.5 million euros over 4 years.
This budget also includes the ground markings, plantings, and all the light furniture needed for a gentle transformation of the downtown area. It’s the Parisian agency Vraiment Vraiment (no, this isn't a joke) that’s driving this project aimed at giving more space back to pedestrians. However, with public opinion divided, the consultation process doesn’t seem to be going smoothly.These "white sausages" are becoming symbols of discord in Lyon. They unintentionally embody the tensions surrounding pedestrianization, contemporary street furniture, and the aesthetic choices of an ecologist majority that bets on the long term... at the risk of short-circuiting immediate acceptance. So, misunderstood design icons or an overrated fiasco? In Lyon, the debate is far from settled.
Source: Le Figaro