Hostile design is design meant to prevent various kinds of usage/interaction with objects, usually by vulnerable groups of people (Rosenberger, 2023). It is perhaps most commonly discussed about designs that prevent the usage of benches etc by the homeless. Robert Rosenberger (2023) presents a classification scheme which talks about the different types of Hostile Design one might come across.
- Physical Imposition
When a design physically prevents certain interactions or engagements with an object. A common example in relation to Hostile Design against homelessness is creating barriers on benches to prevent anyone from laying down on the bench (Rosenberger, 2023), it can be “seats” where one lean against the seat rather than fully sit down, and so on.
- Sensory Interference
Sensory interference includes the use of generating sensory stimuli that is annoying or unpleasant, for example through various usage of light and/or sound. Rosenberger (2023) comes with examples such as playing annoying sounds or loud music in parks and other public spaces have been used to drive away the unhoused. He also writes about the usage of unflattering lights, in the context of driving young people away from underpasses. However, I can also imagine lighting being used to create uncomfortable public spaces to take shelter at.
- Concealment
This is when a certain usage or amenity is available in the public space, just that it is concealed in such a way one must know where it is or how to use it. Rosenberger (2023) brings up the example with public toilets being placed in unusual places and/or having no signage to guide the public to its location.
- Confederacy
This includes the control of a public space, usually through the usage of security guards, police officers, cameras, or others placed to control a public space. For example some public spaces might have a receptionist and a sign in sheet in order to use the space (Rosenberger, 2023), or public rest rooms may have on-site staff controlling the payment gates to enter and exit the rest rooms. Rosenberger (2023) reflects on how the unhoused might not appreciate the monitoring where one needs to sign themselves into the public space, and how camera monitoring can trigger a fear of attracting attention to the authorities.
- Self-coercion
Self-coercion is when design makes the public themselves avoid certain behaviour in a public space or refrain from a certain usage of an object. The most straightforward example is signage targeted at certain groups, for example signs that says “No Camping” targets the unhoused to try and prevent them from taking shelter in the area of said sign. Rosenberger (2023) also gives the examples of spikes on surfaces where one perhaps could lie, which is not only a physical imposition, but also an example of self-coercion. It shows the unhoused that they are not welcomed here, which could perhaps lead them away from the area.
- Absence
Hostile design in the form of absence is that instead of simply limiting usage in the other ways mentioned, one removes the object altogether. This impacts the unhoused in the ways of leaving no place to rest once benches are fully removed, or lack of public restrooms in public areas (Rosenberger, 2023).
How these hostile designs could be turned to the more positive is something that could be researched further in the next post.
Source
Rosenberger, R. (2023). A classification scheme for hostile design. Philosophy of the City Journal, 1(1), 49-70. https://doi.org/10.21827/potcj.1.1.40323
