Effect of Wood Based Materials on Current Use and Production of Outdoor Furniture From the Perspective of Human Dimension

摘要

In this study, urban furniture, being an unquestionable contributor to both quality of space and quality of life in Turkey is discussed in the light of current situation and opportunities for growth and within the framework of wooden urban furniture production and its use. In the Turkish market, though demand for wooden urban furniture is entirely met by the local market, the manufacturers generally prefer to use imported raw materials (65%). The most common types of wood species used in urban furniture production are Teak (Tectona grandis), Iroko (Chlorophor aexcelsa), Sapele (Entandro phragmacylindiricum), Oak (Quercus sp.) and Pine species (Pinus sp.). In the selection of suitable wood for urban furniture, rather than functional characteristics, the most important factor taken into consideration is endurance quality of wooden material and the least important one is design and construction attributes of materials. As a result, the wooden urban furniture segment, being a subsector of the Turkish furniture industry fully open to investment and development, has the potential to meet the existing level of demand of the marketplace. However, it is also revealed in the present study that the Turkish wooden urban furniture segment does not have original designs and international competitive power, mainly because of lack of adequate processes and standards in design and production.