Design against people: the silent trend spreading across cities

Abstract

[EN] According to UN Habitat Public space toolkit (2016), public spaces are all places publicly owned or of public use, accessible and enjoyable by all for free and without a profit motive. Furthermore, by improving access to good public spaces for the most disadvantaged urban residents, public spaces become a powerful instrument in the city to encourage social inclusion and fight discrimination. “Difficulties in securing access to adequate and affordable housing for all should be compensated by generous provision of good quality public space and public services” UN Habitat (2016: p. 19). Nowadays, promoting the participation of neighbourhoods’ inhabitants in the design of the nearby public space is becoming more and more frequent, and all the agents involved in urban design (politicians, architects, urban planners, designers and citizens) agree that the enhancement of the public space contributes to people wellbeing, happiness and socialization. However, in the last years, a new urban design trend which aims to make certain uses of public spaces more difficult, is spreading across urban spaces. Mostly focused on urban furniture but not only, this design tendency prevents people from resting or staying for a long time in the same space. It is hostile architecture for the users. Uncomfortable, reduced, and individual seating inspires anything but wellbeing or socialising. In this paper, some examples of urban elements designed against people are presented. The purpose is to put the issue on the table to open readers’ eyes and minds, so that they are able to detect and report these situations in the urban environment.