Your concern about safety in public spaces is valid and shared by many city planners and communities. In response, a design approach often called "hostile architecture" or "defensive design" has been implemented in various cities worldwide. These designs subtly or overtly modify street furniture to restrict certain activities.
Specifically regarding benches, common designs to discourage prolonged lying down include:
* Segmented Benches: Individual seats with armrests or dividers prevent a person from lying down across the bench.
* Sloped Seating: Benches with a slightly slanted surface make lying down uncomfortable and unstable.
* Minimalist/Curved Designs: Single-person, curved, or small seating units offer no flat, continuous space.
To deter skateboarding, features include:
* Metal Skatestoppers: Bolted-on ridges or knobs along the bench's edge grindable surfaces.
* Embedded Armrests: Integrated, robust armrests break up the long, smooth ledge.
* Textured Surfaces: Using materials like ribbed metal or stone that create friction and vibration.
Proponents argue these measures maintain order, ensure benches are used for sitting, and reduce property damage. However, critics highlight significant ethical concerns. They argue such designs primarily target vulnerable populations like the homeless, offering a cosmetic solution to complex social issues like housing insecurity. Furthermore, they can make public spaces less comfortable for everyone, including the elderly or those needing to rest longer.
The core challenge lies in finding a balance. Truly safe and welcoming public spaces often require a holistic strategy—combining supportive social services, thoughtful, inclusive design that accommodates diverse needs, and community engagement—rather than relying solely on restrictive furniture. The debate around these benches reflects a broader question about who our city spaces are for and how we define safety and comfort for all citizens.