Benches work in dense urban spaces with many pedestrians; in parks where people want to stop and talk or rest or people-watch. Density also provides social controls (preventing the catcalling?).
However, benches have been redesigned subtly as part of the anti-homeless hostile architecture movement. Divided by armrests or small ledges defining "seats" in sheltered bus stops or transportation terminals, for instance. I take some objection to this as it is simply cruel, especially within the context of the larger effort. I would be happier having longer and undivided benches in the interest of a humane society.
There used to be benches outside at Worldgate and at the strip on Elden where H Mart is located. They were removed a while ago due to, I believe, similar complaints. Apparently, they needed signs on them akin to apartheid South Africa: "Whites Only".
Benches work in dense urban spaces with many pedestrians; in parks where people want to stop and talk or rest or people-watch. Density also provides social controls (preventing the catcalling?).
However, benches have been redesigned subtly as part of the anti-homeless hostile architecture movement. Divided by armrests or small ledges defining "seats" in sheltered bus stops or transportation terminals, for instance. I take some objection to this as it is simply cruel, especially within the context of the larger effort. I would be happier having longer and undivided benches in the interest of a humane society.
There used to be benches outside at Worldgate and at the strip on Elden where H Mart is located. They were removed a while ago due to, I believe, similar complaints. Apparently, they needed signs on them akin to apartheid South Africa: "Whites Only".
Interesting. I'm familiar with both of those spots (even wrote a piece about that H-Mart!) https://thedeletedscenes.substack.com/p/secondhand-supermarkets