Urbanization often disrupts wildlife habitats, but creative design solutions can mitigate this impact. For plains viscachas—social rodents native to South America—thoughtfully designed outdoor seating in cities could provide crucial support. These animals thrive in rocky outcrops and burrow systems, so incorporating similar features into urban furniture creates familiar microhabitats.

Designers should consider three key elements:

1. Multi-level structures mimicking rock formations with hidden cavities for shelter

2. Permeable materials like natural stone that allow heat regulation

3. Strategic placement near green corridors to enable safe movement

The seating should avoid smooth, monolithic surfaces which offer no ecological value. Instead, textured materials with crevices encourage natural behaviors like grooming and social interaction. Integrating native drought-resistant plants around seating areas provides additional food sources while reducing maintenance needs.

Cities like La Paz (where viscachas already inhabit parks) could pilot such designs. Monitoring would reveal optimal configurations—perhaps clustered seating resembling their natural colony structures works best. This approach demonstrates how urban infrastructure can support biodiversity without sacrificing functionality for humans.

By viewing public furniture as potential wildlife habitat, we create opportunities for peaceful human-viscacha coexistence. The same principles could apply to other urban-adapted species worldwide, making our cities richer ecosystems.