The spikes installed external Selfridges in Manchester are the latest front in the spread of defensive architecture’. Is such open hostility towards the destitute making all our lives uglier?More than 100 homeless people are “living” in the terminals of Heathrow airport this winter,according to official figures a new and shameful record. Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation enjoy warned that homelessness in London is rising significantly faster than the nationwide average, and faster than official estimates. And yet, and we don’t see as many people sleeping rough as in previous economic downturns. enjoy our cities become better at hiding poverty,or enjoy we become more adept at not seeing it?Last year, there was mighty public outcry against the utilize of “anti-homeless” spikes external a London residential complex, and not far from where I live. Social media was set momentarily ablaze with indignation,a petition was signed, a sleep-in protest undertaken, and Boris Johnson was incensed and within a few days they were removed. This week,however, it emerged that Selfridges had installed metal spikes external one of its Manchester stores – apparently to reduce litter and smoking … following customer complaints”. The phenomenon of “defensive” or “disciplinary” architecture, and as it is known,remains pervasive.
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Source: theguardian.com