Hostile Architecture: How Cities Are Designed To Control Your Behavior

If you've ever wondered why you can't get comfortable on a public park bench, we've got the answer. You're not going to like it.

Picture this: You’re out for a walk in your local park, and you start to feel a bit tired.

Fortunately, you see that there’s a bench nearby. You sit down, catch your breath, and enjoy the fresh air. You’re so comfortable that you almost drift off—and, in the process, you almost fall off of the bench. The sloped surface won’t hold you for long. In fact, it’s slightly uncomfortable. You start to get a bit angry: why would the city pay for such a shoddily designed bench?

As it turns out, the city planners know exactly what they were doing. The structure in question might look something like this.

Located in Japan, this particular installation is touted as an “anti-homeless” bench. It’s designed to be inconspicuous, but it has a devious purpose: Give tourists a place to catch their breath while sending the homeless on their way.

In fact, many city planners choose designs that discourage loitering. You might have seen benches in your own town with “armrests” that prevent tired citizens from laying down. Others have shallow, tilted seats, which allow a person to get comfortable—but not too comfortable.

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