The Olympics’ Hostile Architecture Is a Preview of What’s to Come

As cities around the world compete to host the Olympics, they often implement architectural designs that prioritize security and crowd control over the comfort and well-being of their residents. This trend towards hostile architecture is a worrying preview of what’s to come in urban planning.

Hostile architecture includes features like sharp spikes on benches to prevent homeless individuals from sleeping, anti-skateboarding measures on ledges and benches, and metal bars on public spaces to deter loitering. These measures are often implemented under the guise of safety and cleanliness, but they ultimately serve to oppress and exclude certain populations.

By prioritizing security and crowd control over the needs and rights of citizens, cities risk alienating their residents and creating a hostile environment for all. The Olympics, with their focus on spectacle and security, exemplify this trend towards exclusionary architecture.

As cities continue to invest in infrastructure and development for major events like the Olympics, it is important to consider the long-term impact of these decisions on the livability and inclusivity of the urban environment. Hostile architecture may provide a temporary solution to security concerns, but it ultimately alienates and oppresses vulnerable populations.

In order to create truly inclusive and welcoming cities, urban planners and policymakers must prioritize the needs and rights of all residents, rather than implementing measures that serve to exclude and oppress certain populations. The Olympics’ hostile architecture serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of prioritizing security over inclusivity in urban planning.