Reclaiming Our Public Spaces: A Look at Defensive Urbanism
Urban Defense Podcast Episode 15: Urbanism's Protectors – Identifying the Shield and Target
Are our public areas as open and inviting as they seem? In this exploration, we delve into the surge of 'defensive urbanism' in our cityscapes and ponder what it would take to stop pushing people out of shared spaces and start welcoming them back in.
Joining us today: Cara Chellew, Rebecca Rutt, Kenneth Balfelt.
Presented by Mariano Trevino, narrated by Karl Dickinson.
Defensive urbanism, akin to deterrent architecture, revolves around designing urban spaces to regulate specific behaviors, such as anti-skateboarding devices, anti-homeless spikes, and bench armrests that prevent lying down [1]. Although these designs aim to manage public behavior, they frequently exclude or stigmatize certain groups like homeless individuals and youth.
To create inclusive public spaces that embrace everyone, follow these strategies:
- User-Driven Design
- Collaborate with stakeholders: Engage diverse communities in the design process to ensure that shared spaces cater to various user needs.
- Accessibility: Develop spaces that are accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
- Inclusive Features
- Adaptive Furniture: Utilize modular furniture to accommodate diverse activities and user requirements.
- Green Environments: Add parks and green spaces that encourages interaction and relaxation.
- Community Facilities: Incorporate amenities like restrooms, water stations, and phone charging stations to fulfill basic necessities.
- Encourage Social Interaction
- Public Art: Incorporate public art that sparks engagement and fosters community pride.
- Community Hubs: Design spaces for gatherings and events that bring people together.
- Social Problem Solutions
- Homelessness: Implement supportive housing programs and provide resources for homeless individuals within public spaces.
- Safety: Maintain safety while avoiding excessive intrusion through lighting and surveillance systems.
- Flexible and Resilient Design
- Adaptive Standards: Prioritize dynamic performance standards over static zoning to adapt to evolving community demands [4].
- Resilience and Sustainability: Incorporate resilient and sustainable design principles to address climate impacts and ensure longevity [3].
By prioritizing inclusive design principles, cities can produce public spaces that embrace everyone, cultivating vibrant and equitable communities.
Cara Chellew suggests that to create more inclusive public spaces, we should employ user-driven design and collaborate with diverse communities to ensure their needs are met. Rebecca Rutt advises that in addition to adaptive furniture, green environments, community facilities, and public art, implementing supportive housing programs for the homeless and ensuring safety without excessive intrusion is also crucial in fostering a welcoming home-and-garden atmosphere in our urban public spaces.
