hostile architecture urban planning Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/hostile-architecture Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/hostile-architecture Also known as: anti-homeless architecture, defensive architecture, defensive urban design, exclusionary design Written by Jordana Rosenfeld Jordana Rosenfeld is a copy editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. Jordana Rosenfeld Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jun 26, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Also called: defensive architecture, exclusionary design, defensive architecture, or anti-homeless architecture (Show more) hostile architecture, urban design strategy that uses elements of the built environment to guide or restrict certain behaviors in public spaces, such as sleeping, skateboarding, using illicit substances, urinating in public, and loitering. Such design elements tend to target not only skateboarders but also people who have limited access to private spaces, such as young people and people living in poverty. Hostile architecture is prevalent in urban areas around the world, and it has also spread to suburban areas. Many different forms of hostile architecture exist. It can be explicit, such as so-called “anti-homeless spikes” that render a flat place ...(100 of 661 words)

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