A newly installed bench with a middle railing.

By Sam Bennison

Transportation

New BC Transit benches has some questioning it’s design

Jul 16, 2024 | 12:41 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—The City of Prince George is replacing bus stops across the city to both praise and skepticism. A bar placed in the middle of the bench has some advocates questioning how cities design infrastructure around homeless people. Colloquially known as “hostile architecture” it covers many design elements including fencing, spikes, and music playing around buildings as a way to reduce loitering.

The City of Prince George say that putting a railing in the middle of the bench was designed to help elderly residents lift themselves up from the bench. However, Community Advocate Phillip Fredriksson says that they could’ve placed them on the outside of the bench.

“When they put it in the middle, I do believe it’s a deterrent,” says Fredriksson “It’s something to keep people from laying down, resting, relaxing, spending the night.”

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Fredriksson says that gaps in affordable housing leaves people with no other options.

“When you see things like spikes on things and things blocked off, gated, fenced, where people aren’t able to go and just find a place to overnight shelter,” adds Fredriksson “I mean, it’s just kind of the last safe place they can go where it’s comfortable for them if they need to lay down.”

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com