The conference will explore the impact of functional objects such as benches, kiosks, and lamp posts which have the potential to create place identity. Existing examples of these kinds of objects include the red telephone booths in London, San Francisco cable cars, and Paris' metro stops. The conference will also speculate about the new types of objects made possible by new technologies and what their impact might be on the urban environment. The subject will be viewed both from a theoretical-historical perspective and the practical considerations of the legal, maintenance and political issues presented by placing new objects in the public right of way. Scholars, cities and design firms involved in innovative streetscaping projects will present.