Yes, in a lot of cases urban outdoor furniture is heavier—or at least weighted—so it stays put in strong wind. If you compare a municipal bench or a commercial café table with a lightweight balcony set, the urban version often uses thicker steel, dense hardwood, concrete, or a heavy cast base. That extra mass raises the wind threshold before the piece shifts, tips, or becomes a projectile.
That said, weight is only one part of wind resistance. Good urban furniture is usually designed as a system: low profiles, perforated or slatted surfaces that let air through, weighted ballast compartments, linking clamps for modular seating, and fixing points for anchoring into concrete or pavers. A heavy table can still move if it isn't anchored, and a lighter chair can be made secure with a base plate or tether. Designers also consider wind tunnel testing, local gust patterns, and whether furniture needs to be moved for cleaning or events.
So the short answer is: many urban pieces are deliberately heavy or weighted, but the real goal is stability, not weight for its own sake. For a café, rooftop, park, or public plaza, look for a combination of solid materials, sensible shape, and a clear anchoring method. If the furniture sits on a balcony or loose deck, check what it can be fixed to—sometimes adding a weighted base or bringing lighter items inside during storms is the smarter move. Heavier furniture helps, but it is not a guarantee unless it is matched to the site and the wind exposure.