Atlas Specialty Metals  on using stainless steel for street furniture:

Street furniture must meet many requirements that are, in themselves, not readily compatible: the design must integrate with the environment, the material must have structural strength and durability in the face of high traffic and vandalism, and an ability to resist extremes of weather.

Stainless steel, because of its good properties, has been chosen for a variety of street applications including: parapets, balustrades, handrails, kiosks, lamp poles, rubbish bins, shelters, fountains, directional signs and showcases.

Readily fabricated and durable, stainless steel requires only minimal maintenance, and it is suited to provide an attractive, functional, long lasting and cost-effective solution to many exposed applications.