Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Hostile Architecture
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Jun 19, 2024 Discover the controversial world of hostile architecture, where urban design discourages certain behaviors. Learn about uncomfortable benches and anti-pigeon spikes that serve exclusionary purposes. The podcast dives into how cities like London and New York employ these tactics and the ethical dilemmas they create for vulnerable populations. Explore the impact of design choices that marginalize the homeless and delve into broader societal implications. It raises questions about who truly benefits from our public spaces.
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Hostile Architecture
- Hostile architecture designs urban spaces to discourage loitering and sleeping.
- It often targets homeless individuals through seemingly harmless design choices.
Urine Deflectors
- 19th-century Venice employed urine deflectors to deter public urination.
- These sloped structures redirected urine back at the offender, an early form of hostile design.
Atlanta's Boulders
- Atlanta placed boulders under overpasses to displace homeless encampments.
- This tactic aimed to hide the city's homeless population from commuters.