Examples Of Hostile Architecture To Prevent Homeless People From Being Able To Shelter
These may be installed as "art," but often they're actually hostile attempts to stop homeless people from sleeping in public.
Hostile architecture shows up in plain sight, even when most people walk past it without noticing. A bench with a divider in the middle, a ledge covered in spikes, or a carefully placed barrier can all send the same message: stay away.
These designs are often aimed at people who are homeless, making it harder for them to rest or shelter in public spaces. The examples below show just how common these choices can be, and how easy they are to miss until someone points them out.
Some of them are subtle, some are obvious, and all of them say a lot about who a city is really built for.
Look out for pretty designs to try and distract you!
It is just cruel (as well as being ugly)
Spikes to stop people from sheltering undercover.
This is painful
This feels like a small-apartment owner declining to host relatives during a housing crisis, and the fallout.
For example, armrests across benches to stop people from lying down
Weird "design" elements around your town may actually just be anti-homeless measures...
Benches without the... bench part?
Cities and councils CHOOSE to make it difficult for homeless people to shelter
Hostile architecture was just the beginning...
Please, if you happen to be in a position where you are designing or voting on "design" elements for a neighborhood, think about the homeless individuals as well. Housing should be a basic human right; but until then, at least let them have access to shelter and benches that they can lie down on.
WTF don't slash someone's house??
Still judging “just let them stay,” check out what happened after someone kicked struggling friends out.
