If You See Random Bars on Park Benches, This Is What It Means

Ever sat on a park bench that had random bars in the middle of it? Or walked past a ledge with metal spikes sticking out of it for no clear reason? It’s intentional. What you’re seeing is called hostile architecture, and once you know what it is, you’ll start spotting it everywhere.

This design tactic has been quietly shaping cities around the world for years. But it’s recently been getting a lot more attention — and sparking some heated debate.

What are these spiked metal hoops that are sometimes in corners on the outside of old buildings?
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What Is Hostile Architecture?

Hostile architecture (also called defensive, exclusionary, or anti-homeless architecture) is a design strategy used to discourage or control certain behaviors in public spaces. It’s most commonly aimed at unhoused people, but it can also target behaviors like skateboarding, loitering, resting too long, or even just gathering in groups.

Some common examples include:

• Benches with armrests or dividers that make it impossible to lie down
• Spikes on flat surfaces like windowsills, planters, or ledges
• Slanted or bumpy ground under overpasses and alcoves
• Rocks or landscaping placed specifically to prevent sleeping or camping
• Blue or bright lights in public restrooms or alleyways to discourage drug use
• Metal studs or rails on staircases to deter skateboarders

While the design might seem minor or even invisible to some people, to others, especially those who rely on public spaces, it’s a much bigger issue.

Who Uses It — and Why?

Hostile architecture is most often used by city governments, urban planners, business improvement districts, private property owners, and transportation authorities. On the surface, their reasons may sound fairly practical. They often aim to prevent people from sleeping in public spaces, deter vandalism or skateboarding, discourage loitering in business areas, reduce crime or drug use, and maintain a sense of cleanliness and order in certain locations.

But the big issue is how these goals are achieved. Instead of addressing root causes — like homelessness, lack of mental health support, or the need for youth spaces — hostile design attempts to erase the visible signs of those issues. It doesn’t fix the problem. It just pushes it out of sight.

Why It’s So Controversial

Hostile architecture walks a fine line between safety and discrimination. Supporters often argue it’s about keeping public areas functional, safe, and clean. But critics say it’s really about making public spaces feel less public — especially for vulnerable communities.

Critics argue that hostile architecture unfairly targets vulnerable populations, especially those who are unhoused, by removing safe places to rest without addressing the root causes of poverty or housing insecurity. It often prioritizes aesthetics over an inclusive public space. Rather than offering real solutions, these designs simply push socioeconomic issues out of sight, relocating problems rather than resolving them.

Alternative Solutions to Hostile Architecture

Yes, there are alternative solutions to hostile architecture, and many cities are starting to explore it. Rather than designing people out of public spaces, some planners and communities are looking at how to design people in.

This approach is known as inclusive design or the opposite of hostile architecture: compassionate design. Some alternative design ideas include installing benches without dividers to allow people to rest, providing public restrooms and hygiene stations, creating 24-hour shelters or designated safe sleeping areas, incorporating outdoor spaces where youth can gather safely, and partnering with community organizations to offer support and services rather than punishment.

Related

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• If You Spot This Yellow Device on Your Windshield, You’ve Been Barnacled 
• What Do Shoes on Power Lines Mean? 

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