Your concern about birds on urban benches is shared by many city planners and maintenance teams. Fortunately, modern design offers several humane and effective solutions to discourage perching without harming wildlife. The key principle is to create surfaces that are unstable, uncomfortable, or inaccessible for birds to land and settle.
One prevalent design features angled or sloped seating surfaces. While these benches remain perfectly comfortable for humans to sit on briefly, the gradual slope prevents birds from finding a stable, flat perch. Another common approach involves using smooth, metallic materials on the bench's back and arms. These surfaces become slippery and difficult for birds to grip, especially when slightly curved.
More direct solutions include integrated, discreet anti-perching fixtures. These can be subtle, low-profile spikes or rods installed on preferred landing spots like flat armrests or bench backs. These are designed to be harmless but create an unwelcoming landing zone. Some innovative designs incorporate motion-activated, gentle deterrents like sudden lights or soft sounds, though these are less common due to maintenance needs.
The goal is always balance—maintaining public seating functionality while minimizing nuisance, droppings, and potential damage. These designs are part of a broader strategy of "hostile architecture" intended to manage behavior, and they prioritize ethical, non-injurious methods. When selecting public furniture, many cities now consider these anti-perching features to create more hygienic and low-maintenance communal spaces for everyone.