The attitude a country lends to the poorest of its population reflects the heart of its priorities and morals. Architecture particularly holds a firm grasp on the lives of citizens, curating an atmosphere and enabling the actions of all who inevitably encounter structures such as buildings, bridges and the unassuming park bench. Entering an era of common usage in the 14th century, Tuscan public benches grew in popularity, allowing citizens to engage in community events, including tribunals and theatre performances. Since then, these landmarks have evolved with the purpose of cultivating community and fostering friendship. However, within modern-day American culture, public benches fail to accommodate poorer — specifically homeless — communities, twisting the symbol of beneficence into mockeries of hospitality.
“I think [anti-homeless benches] are a waste of taxpayer dollars. There are better things to do than try to keep homeless people from sleeping on a street when they’re just trying to find a place to be comfortable. I don’t think it’s ethical — it’s not fair to people who are less fortunate than you to not have easy access to a place to rest from the burdens of life. If I were a person in charge of the architecture, I would get rid of anti-homeless architecture totally,” senior CJ Goff said.
As of 2024, 771,480 people — over 306 times the population of NC — experience homelessness, with the numbers still climbing to unprecedented heights. Over one-third of that population remains unsheltered entirely, endangering both their health and safety. As such, the homeless community commonly sleeps in public places — not by choice, but because of a lack thereof. In place of a bed, a person may sleep on benches as a slightly better alternative to the raw ground. Despite existing for the sole purpose of generating community welfare and individual comfort, owners of public spaces — including city planners, real estate and public transport facilities — have designed anti-homeless benches meant to prevent the ability to comfortably lie down.
New York City, for example, features a multitude of hostile architectures, including modified designs of a once-inviting bench. These seats feature traits that promote discomfort and prevent sleeping positions, including slanted benches, arm rests dividing seating areas and curved surfaces. These structures aim to eliminate homeless citizens from public areas. Rather than channeling efforts into supporting those in need, individuals in power invest money, time and public space to remove them from public sight, despite the discernible issue of such people lacking private spaces to relocate to.
“Hostile architecture operates on the premise that homeless people should not be present in a certain area, not that homelessness should not exist. So, making benches and seating areas less comfortable for homeless people does not actually address the root causes of why homeless people feel the need to sleep on these benches in the first place. Rather than just trying to police our way out of homelessness, we need to actually connect people to the housing and support that they need, which will actually be much more effective in the long run than just pushing people out of sight,” policy director at the Coalition for the Homeless Jacquelyn Simone said.
Those in favor of anti-homeless benches appreciate the aesthetic of a town without citizens living on the streets and justify anti-homeless efforts for beautification, prompting potential pride for citizens with similarly-minded opinions on public pictures. However, an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality fails to correct the core of the homelessness issue, feebly attempting to abolish people without providing a space to relocate. Just as a person cannot switch seats at a full table, homeless citizens face the impossible task of residing in communities without any spaces for them.
As proved by countries from around the world, benches feasibly serve those in need, which does not ruin a community’s pristine reputation, but showcases brilliant generosity and a genuine care for residents. In Japan, Kyoto University and the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) have developed and begun testing heated benches, powered by solar energy, to release thermal energy. Cold-temperature hospitalizations reportedly occur at a less frequent rate in areas with these benches, which remains particularly important during harsh winter months.
Accommodating homeless populations, rather than attempting to shove aside an immense proportion of citizens, does not encapsulate an unfathomable fantasy, but lies within reach — provided that those with power over public domains choose to shift their focus. By ending the ignorance about people in need and channeling energy toward purposeful efforts to protect citizens of all demographics, a spirit of hospitality and safety can reach unforeseen levels and begin to cultivate a sense of true community.
