NYC is Building Anti-Homeless Streets…

Summary

The video explores the concept of hostile architecture, which refers to design elements intended to deter homeless people and others from using public spaces in unintended ways. Examples include armrests on benches, uneven surfaces, and a lack of seating in public areas like parks and train stations. The narrator highlights controversial instances of hostile architecture in New York City, including subway stations and parks, and discusses the ethical implications of such designs, which prioritize orderliness over the comfort and needs of vulnerable populations.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Hostile architecture is designed to prevent homeless people from using public spaces, often causing outrage from local communities.
• 🪑 Features like armrests in the middle of benches and uneven surfaces are implemented to make it uncomfortable to sleep or rest for long periods.
• 🧱 Examples of hostile architecture include spikes on window sills, curved benches, and large rocks under bridges in cities like London, Paris, and DC.
• 🚇 New York City subways have been redesigned to discourage homeless individuals from seeking warmth, with features like uneven benches and reduced seating.
• ❄️ The removal of subway benches during winter sparked outrage, as these spaces are often refuges for the homeless to avoid freezing temperatures.
• 🔧 Some subway stations introduced ‘leaning posts’ instead of benches, making it harder for the elderly, disabled, and pregnant individuals to rest comfortably.
• 💰 Despite high costs, new train stations like Moynihan Trail in NYC lack basic seating, encouraging people to spend money at surrounding businesses instead.
• 🚶‍♂️ Public parks like the Highline in NYC use uncomfortable benches and awkward designs to encourage visitors to move quickly and not linger.
• ⛓️ The design of places like Zucotti Park, site of Occupy Wall Street protests, discourages gatherings through the use of hard, cold surfaces and crowd control features.
• 🏞️ While hostile architecture may manage crowds and keep areas orderly, critics argue it reduces the quality of life for everyone, especially the homeless and vulnerable.

Q & A

What is hostile architecture, as described in the video?

Hostile architecture refers to public installations or design features intended to deter homeless people or other unwanted behaviors, such as sleeping or loitering. These designs are often uncomfortable or inaccessible, like benches with armrests that prevent lying down, spikes on window sills, or uneven surfaces.

Why do cities implement hostile architecture?

Cities often implement hostile architecture to maintain order in public spaces and deter homeless people from staying in specific areas. It is seen as a way to manage loitering or unauthorized use of public spaces, but it can backfire by reducing the quality of life for all citizens and targeting vulnerable populations.

What are some examples of hostile architecture mentioned in the video?

Examples mentioned include armrests on benches to prevent lying down, spikes on window sills, curved benches in Washington D.C., uneven metal surfaces on subway grates to stop people from sleeping on them, and the removal of bench seatbacks in subway stations.

How did the public react to the removal of benches in New York City subway stations?

The public reacted with outrage, as the removal of benches affected not just the homeless but also elderly people, pregnant women, and others who rely on seating. After backlash, the city reinstalled benches, but these still included elements of hostile architecture, such as armrests to prevent lying down.

What argument do critics of hostile architecture make?

Critics argue that hostile architecture is cruel and unnecessary, as it targets the needy and does not solve homelessness. They believe it reduces the quality of life for everyone, including those who need public spaces for legitimate purposes, and doesn't address the root causes of homelessness.

How does hostile architecture affect the homeless in New York City during the winter?

Hostile architecture, such as covering subway grates that provide warmth, makes it harder for homeless people to find refuge during the cold winter months. Despite the presence of shelters, many avoid them due to poor conditions and safety concerns, leaving them to seek warmth in public spaces, which are increasingly designed to deter them.

What was the controversy surrounding the new train station in New York City?

The new Moynihan Train Hall, which cost over a billion dollars, lacks seating for the public. Critics argue that the absence of benches is a deliberate move to prevent loitering, forcing people to stand or pay to sit in lounges. This design choice has been viewed as another example of hostile architecture.

How does hostile architecture extend beyond public transportation stations in New York City?

Hostile architecture in New York extends to parks and public spaces, such as benches designed to be uncomfortable or inaccessible, granite surfaces that become cold and hard to sit on, and awkward seating arrangements intended to control foot traffic or discourage gatherings.

What impact does hostile architecture have on public spaces like parks?

In parks, hostile architecture creates uncomfortable seating and awkward designs that limit how long people can stay. These designs aim to keep spaces orderly and prevent large gatherings, but they also lower the overall comfort and usability of the space for all visitors.

What role did hostile architecture play during the Occupy Wall Street movement?

During the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011, protesters camped in Zuccotti Park, which had hostile design features such as hard granite benches and ridged surfaces. Despite the uncomfortable environment, protesters stayed for over a month, highlighting how hostile architecture can deter but not completely prevent long-term occupation of public spaces.