Your concern about people sleeping on benches touches on one of urban design's most contentious issues. What you're describing is often called "hostile architecture" or "defensive design" - intentional design choices that make it difficult to use public spaces in certain ways, including sleeping.
Many cities have indeed implemented benches with individual armrests, segmented seating, curved surfaces, or even subtle slopes specifically to prevent lying down. While these measures might address immediate concerns about public sleeping, they raise profound ethical questions about who our cities are designed to serve.
The reality is that these designs don't solve homelessness - they merely displace it. When we make benches unusable for sleeping, we're treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of homelessness. These designs affect everyone: elderly people who can't sit for long periods, pregnant women who need to lie down, and children who want to stretch out.
Rather than creating barriers, some forward-thinking cities are exploring compassionate alternatives. These include dedicated sleep pods in specific areas, 24-hour access shelters, and public benches designed to be both comfortable for sitting and less ideal for sleeping without being overtly hostile. The most effective solutions combine thoughtful design with social services that address homelessness directly.
True urban inclusivity means creating spaces that welcome all citizens while balancing diverse needs. The conversation shouldn't be about how to keep homeless people away, but about how to create cities that work better for everyone - including those with nowhere else to sleep.