Do you find the hard and cold steel bench in your park too uncomfortable? The chances are that it was intended to be so. An interesting phenomenon is being observed all over Europe where the designs of public properties are designed to be unpleasant.
Here is a look at some of the most uncomfortable designs and the intent behind them:
1. The Anti-High Heel League
The fashionistas wearing high heels have a hard time navigating cobblestone streets and metal grid platforms. The girls in high heels are in for a rough time in downtown Lagos that is full of cobblestone pathways.
2. Anti-Skating Conspiracy
An innovative way to keep the benches and other such public resting areas free of the skaters and BMX riders is to install the metal fixtures on the surface.
The seating will thus be used only by the public for rest.
3. The No-Sleeping Benches
The city administration hit upon a brilliant idea to keep off the homeless people who used the benches installed in parks and train station for sleeping purposes.
The armrests allow an adult human to sit easily while stopping him from taking a nap on the bench. Another idea was presented by the company that installed a private seat on which you cannot rest for long, without paying.
4. The Touch Me Not Railing
The railing of a Swiss bridge in Vevey has a very unpleasant, sandpaper-like feel when it is touched. The railing not only prevents accumulation of germs but also keep away the potential suiciders.
5. Regulating The Graffitis and Wall Climbers
The walls painted with non-drying oil are always slimy and greasy. Thus, no wall climber can get a strong foothold on the wall. The person coming in contact with the wall will retain the mark of paint.
6. The Leaning Benches
Rotterdam has installed the leaning benches where the pensioners and elderly people can lean, not sleep.
The bench design makes it impossible to stay for more than a couple of minutes.
7. Slanted Garbage Bins
To ward off the teens and others who use the flat top of the garbage bins as a resting spot, the city councils are adopting the slanted garbage bins.
8. The Anti-Sticker Technique
Rippled structure of the garbage bins and posts in South Korea keeps the enthusiastic advertisers from pasting stickers.
