Hostile design is an umbrella term that encapsulates any architecture that is intended to be used against people, particularly to exclude houseless individuals from specific areas. Some examples of this include crossbars on benches, spikes in underpasses, and awning gaps. Not only are these active choices made against people, they cost additional money that could be funneled into support systems that would help these same people stay off of the streets. It is time to look at these structures as what they are — a symbol devoid of compassion that advocates for reducing accessibility — and invest in support systems and organizations that benefit houseless people instead.
Organizations such as HostileDesign.org work to have these harmful structures removed through several campaigns, including one where anyone can participate. This campaign involves placing stickers on pieces of hostile design in participants' communities, which provide information to those reading and urging that the structure be modified or removed.
For more information on hostile design, and to support having these structures removed, visit the following links:
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