Urban design trends globally promote “hostile urbanism” by removing public seating to restrict vulnerable groups.
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Urban areas are increasingly designed for consumers rather than producers, with cities prioritizing their value as productive assets over social or identity value since the 1980s neoliberal shift. This trend affects public furniture design, leading to the rise of “hostile urbanism,” which uses elements like dividers and inclined surfaces in public seating to restrict the use or stay of certain groups, such as homeless individuals or young people. Experts note that these designs are often placed in areas intended for clearing. The removal of traditional seating reduces city accessibility and free meeting points, potentially forcing citizens to spend money at private establishments. In Madrid, new models are concentrated in the central districts, while older, more traditional benches are found further out. City authorities justify these changes by claiming they promote accessibility, but critics argue this is a form of social exclusion that ignores underlying social inequalities. Similar trends are observed in other European cities like Paris, Athens, and Vienna, where public seating has been restricted or replaced, leading to the standardization and de-humanization of urban spaces. While some cities have implemented these changes for specific zoning purposes, advocacy groups worldwide argue that such measures merely push vulnerable populations to the margins without solving social issues.
