原味人文風情:Why are cities full of uncomfortable benches?
為什么城市充滿不舒適的長椅?
This one has armrests to prevent you from dozing off. Here's another, again with the arms, the stiff metal. And this one, it's brand new. The MTA in New York City began installing them as a part of a subway enhancement plan.And they don't call it a bench. They prefer the term "leaning bars." So, what if I told you it was designed with discomfort in mind?
這張長椅有扶手,避免你打瞌睡。這是另一張——一樣有扶手,硬梆梆的金屬。還有這張——這是全新的。紐約市的大都會運輸署開始裝設這些長椅作為地鐵改善計劃的一部分。他們不叫它長椅,而是比較喜歡叫它“倚靠欄桿”。那么,如果我告訴你它是故意設計得不舒適,你會怎么想?
New York City is filled with some of the most innovative architecture and urban planning in the world. Today, nearly every kind of public space here has been developed with close attention to detail. So these benches are no mistake. They're designed to allow you to sit but not get too cozy. And that's intentional. The concept stems from a school of thought that goes by many names, but today we'll use "defensive design."
紐約市充滿一些世界上最創新的建筑和城市規劃。如今,這里幾乎所有的公共空間都是經過精心設計的。所以,這些長椅不是設計錯了。它們的設計目的本來就是讓你坐下來,但不能太舒適。這是故意的。這個概念源于一種學派,它有很多名字,但今天我們用“防御性設計”這個名字。
Defensive design is about moderating behavior. The goal is to limit the ways an object can be misused. These benches have armrests because that will prevent anyone from laying down. Their short back is another nod to say "This bench isn't yours forever." This trend is worldwide, and it's not just in the benches.When you start looking for defensive designs in New York City, you'll find examples everywhere.
防御性設計是為了節制行為。目標是限制物品被誤用的方式。這些長椅有扶手是因為它能避免任何人躺在上面。這種長椅的矮椅背也有另一種意思:“這張長椅不是你專屬的”。這是種世界性的趨勢,而且不只反映在長椅上。如果你開始尋找紐約市的防御性設計,到處都能找到例子。
It's the presence of security cameras in subway turnstiles or in Times Square. It's these spikes on this column, meant to deter birds. It's the knobs on these ledges, made to discourage skateboarders. And there were once sprinklers underneath the awning of this bookstore to prevent people from sleeping there. It's sidewalk barriers. It's even these regular streetlights. Yeah, streetlights are probably some of the most recognizable defensive designs. When they surfaced in 19th-century Western cities, the dynamic of urban life changed. Because of them, more people spent more time outside at night, which drove economic development and a reduction in crime.
地鐵閘門或時代廣場上有監視器。這些欄柱上尖鐵的意圖是防止鳥停在上面。還有這些矮平臺上的凸起物用來阻礙溜滑板的人。這間書店還曾經在遮雨棚下裝灑水裝置,避免有人睡在那里。還有人行道路障。甚至這些常見的路燈也是。對,路燈可能是最好辨認的防御性設計。路燈在十九世紀的西方城市開始出現后,城市生活的型態就變了。因為這些路燈,更多人晚上會在外頭溜搭,促使經濟發展及犯罪率降低。
Most hostile architecture tries to influence behavior in a similar way. The designs attempt to make public space a bit more hospitable, more ideal. Defensive designs can deter crime,it can prevent the destruction of public property, and it can prevent loitering. But there is a reason why defensive design is characterized as hostile.
大多數敵意建筑設計都試著用類似的方式影響大家的行為。這些設計是為了讓公共空間更適宜、更理想一點兒。防御性設計可以遏止犯罪、避免公共財產的破壞、也能避免游蕩行為。但防御性設計被認為有敵意是有原因的。

Take the example of the leaning bar. Disability advocates have a problem with that appearing in the MTA. One advocate pointed out that people who travel who have disabilities or just get tired sometimes need a bench to sit on, and not a wall to lean against. And while no one likes an uncomfortable bench, these additions mean something more for people who are experiencing homelessness.
以倚靠欄桿為例。行動不便支持者對大都會運輸署擺出這些欄桿很反感。一名支持者指出,旅行的人,有些行動不便的人,或有時有點兒累的人,都需要一張長椅坐一下,而不是要一片墻壁靠著。雖然沒有人喜歡這種不舒適的長椅,但這些增設設施對于無家可歸的人影響更大。
The United States is currently experiencing a decline in the overall homeless population. But in New York City, the number of homeless people is growing. About 1,800 people were found to have been sleeping in the subway.That's because emergency shelter isn't always a viable option.
美國目前的整體游民人口有下降趨勢。但在紐約市,游民人口卻在增長。約有1,800個人睡在地鐵里。那是因為緊急避難所并不總是可行選擇。
There are several examples of hostile architecture that target people who are homeless. These designs imply that public space is not where homeless people should be. As it goes, city planners have a dilemma: How do they design inclusive cities?
有些敵意建筑設計的例子就是沖著無家可歸的人來的。這些設計就是在暗示公共空間不是街友該待的地方。發展至今,都市規劃師都面臨兩難:要怎么設計出包容性的城市呢?
As for the enhanced subway initiative, the MTA's mock designs highlight new USB ports and electronic signage in stations. But you won't find any press materials highlighting this uncomfortable bench, excuse me, the leaning bar. That's because it makes for an uncomfortable discussion about who we design public space for and who gets left out.
在改善的地鐵新措施方面,大都會運輸署的模擬設計主打全新USB充電處和車站電子廣告牌。但你不會發現有任何新聞資料會特別提出這種不舒適的長椅——不好意思,我是說倚靠欄桿。因為這會導致令人不舒服的討論,也就是我們為了誰設計公共空間,以及誰該被屏除在外。