As cities expand into natural habitats, urban wildlife like bears increasingly interact with human spaces. Designing outdoor seating to support urban bear populations requires a blend of ecological awareness and creative urban planning. Here’s how it can be done:

1. Durable and Natural Materials: Use sturdy, non-toxic materials like untreated wood or recycled composites that withstand bear activity while blending into natural surroundings. Avoid plastics or metals that could harm bears.

2. Strategic Placement: Position seating away from dense bear habitats but near green corridors, allowing bears to pass safely without feeling threatened. This reduces conflicts while encouraging coexistence.

3. Food Waste Management: Integrate bear-proof trash bins near seating areas to prevent bears from scavenging human food, which can lead to dangerous habituation.

4. Native Landscaping: Surround seating with native plants that provide natural forage (e.g., berry bushes), diverting bears from human food sources.

5. Educational Signage: Install signage near seating to educate the public on bear behavior and safety, fostering community support for conservation efforts.

By rethinking outdoor seating as part of a broader wildlife-friendly urban design, cities can create spaces that benefit both humans and bears, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for coexistence.