Why City Benches Are Becoming More Hostile

NY Times reporter Anna Kodé explores the growing trend of hostile urban design in New York City, where public seating is being reshaped to deter resting or gathering. This shift reflects broader societal choices about who belongs in public spaces.

“The spread of the leaning bench and the lack of seating at places like Moynihan or around the city signals to homeless individuals that they are not welcome in these places.”

These designs also affect all city residents, turning public areas into zones meant for movement rather than community. Journalist observations note that such choices make cities less humane and more transactional.

“These are not social places. These are places to simply pass through.”

Kodé contrasts this with Japan, where public seating is widespread and free from deterrents like spikes. Japan, despite its dense urban centers, maintains one of the lowest homelessness rates globally, largely due to effective social support systems.

“Japan has the world’s lowest rate of homelessness, probably because they take care of people.”

In contrast, the U.S. struggles with limited housing, unaffordable healthcare, and wages that fail to meet basic living costs — factors that contribute to visible homelessness in transit hubs and on city sidewalks.

“In America, we don’t provide housing or much of anything else for people… the result is that no one can sit down in Penn Station or in a subway station and, oh by the way, lots of people have nowhere to live.”

The author concludes with a reflection on civic values, questioning why society continues to choose alienating policies over compassionate ones that could improve collective well-being.

Author’s Summary: The rise of hostile urban design in U.S. cities exposes deeper social neglect, contrasting sharply with Japan’s humane and inclusive approach to public space.

Kottke.org — 2025-11-04

Why City Benches Are Becoming More Hostile

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