What is hostile architecture?

Hostile architecture is a strategy in urban planning that utilises buildings and public areas to restrict activities or exclude specific individuals. Such intentions are unannounced or subtle to the viewer. It is part of a broader history of exclusionary urban planning, first introduced by architect Robert Moses in the early 20th century.

Robert Moses

Moses (1888–1981) was one of the most influential urban planners who shaped much of New York City’s urban landscape during the era of President Truman’s New Deal. He held various public offices in New York City, the State, and Long Island for more than 40 years, commanding unrivalled influence on development policies, law, and other construction agendas, including building bridges, highways, stadiums, parks, and more. However, his stunning projects are often criticised for their racially and economically discriminatory undercurrents.

Jones Beach State Park

A notorious example is found in the low overpass bridges built over the entrance to Jones Beach State Park, which are still visible on the way to the beaches on Long Island. This was an area originally planned as a “whites-only public beach,” and Moses, against whom many testify to racism, kept it segregated by wielding authority in the planning and design of the bridges. The remarkably low-lying bridges were allegedly intended to prevent buses from passing under them. Public buses predominantly served the poor, often from African American and Latino communities, and were their only means to access the beaches. The 1920s saw a boom in the automobile industry in the United States, but it only benefited the middle and upper-class Americans. Private cars breezed through the bridges that Moses had designed, securing the beach for the exclusive use by car-owning, white middle class. Ironically, it was also he who oversaw the construction of 150,000 units of public housing and built a stunning play facility in Harlem, a predominantly black neighbourhood. However, he also adopted ape themes in the playgrounds. These are chilling reminders of how human prejudice gets written into our physical world, a complex place.

Hostile Architecture in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, hostile architecture often targets the homeless. Recent years have seen an increase in measures aimed at managing the homeless population in public spaces, particularly in areas that are conducive to their stay. Typical examples include concrete spikes under flyovers. Less appealing to the eye but serving the same purpose are metal barricades as well as plastic fences tied together and placed under sheltered areas and across quiet pathways.

Often, hostile architecture is shrouded in designs that benefit other groups in society. Public benches with armrests make it easier for senior citizens or those with disability to sit and get up, but discourage the homeless from using them for sleeping.

While the government often justifies these measures as necessary means for urban management, they have sparked significant debate about the impact on the homeless community.

Government statistics reveal the unfortunate upward trend in the number of street sleepers in Hong Kong. Since 2013, the number has tripled, from 595 to 1,582 in 2022. Despite the growing need for shelters, the availability is limited, increasing only from 202 to 228 in the same timeframe.

The circumstances in Hong Kong demonstrate how social responsibility and urban planning are intertwined. Although attempts to improve public areas can be justified from a safety standpoint, the human rights and dignity of the homeless community must also be considered. A more inclusive urban environment must address the underlying causes of homelessness, in addition to providing sufficient housing and support services.