Why are cities full of uncomfortable benches?
為什麼城市充滿不舒適的長椅？
This one has armrests to prevent you from dozing off. Here's another—again with the arms, the stiff metal. And this one—it's brand new. The MTA in New York City began installing them as a part of a subway enhancement plan. And they don't call it a bench. They prefer the term "leaning bars." So, what if I told you it was designed with discomfort in mind?
這張長椅有扶手，避免你打瞌睡。這是另一張－－一樣有扶手，硬梆梆的金屬。還有這張－－這是全新的。紐約市的大都會運輸署開始裝設這些長椅，作為地鐵改善計畫的一部分。而他們不叫它長椅。他們比較喜歡這個稱呼：「倚靠欄杆」。那麼，如果我告訴你這是故意要設計得不舒適，你會怎麼想呢？
New York City is filled with some of the most innovative architecture and urban planning in the world. Today, nearly every kind of public space here has been developed with close attention to detail. So these benches are no mistake. They're designed to allow you to sit but not get too cozy. And that's intentional. The concept stems from a school of thought that goes by many names, but today we'll use "defensive design."
紐約市充滿一些世界上最創新的建築設計和都市計畫。今天，這裡幾乎每種公共空間的發展都相當著重細節。所以，這些長椅不是不小心做錯了。它們就是設計來讓你坐的，但不讓你坐得太舒適。這是故意的。這個概念源自於一種學派，有很多名字，但今天我們叫「防禦性設計」。
Defensive design is about moderating behavior. The goal is to limit the ways an object can be misused. These benches have armrests because that will prevent anyone from laying down. Their short back is another nod to say "This bench isn't yours forever." This trend is worldwide—and it's not just in the benches. When you start looking for defensive designs in New York City, you'll find examples everywhere.
防禦性設計是為了節制行為。目標是限制物品會被誤用的方式。這些長椅有扶手，是因為那能避免任何人躺在上面。這種長椅的矮椅背也有另一種意思：「這張長椅不是你專屬的」。這是種世界性的趨勢－－而且不只反映在長椅上。如果你開始尋找紐約市的防禦性設計，到處都能找到例子。
It's the presence of security cameras in subway turnstiles or in Times Square. It's these spikes on this column, meant to deter birds. It's the knobs on these ledges, made to discourage skateboarders. And there were once sprinklers underneath the awning of this bookstore to prevent people from sleeping there. It's sidewalk barriers. It's even these regular streetlights. Yeah, streetlights are probably some of the most recognizable defensive designs. When they surfaced in 19th-century Western cities, the dynamic of urban life changed. Because of them, more people spent more time outside at night, which drove economic development and a reduction in crime.
地鐵閘門或時代廣場上有監視器的存在。這些欄柱上的尖鐵是意圖要防止鳥停在上面的。還有這些矮平台上的凸起物，用來阻礙溜滑板的人。而這間書店還曾經在遮雨棚下裝灑水裝置，避免有人睡在那裡。還有人行道路障。甚至這些常見的路燈也是。對，路燈可能是最好辨認的防禦性設計。路燈在十九世紀的西方城市開始出現後，城市生活的型態就變了。因為有這些路燈，更多人晚上時會在外頭溜搭，促使經濟發展及犯罪率減低。
Most hostile architecture tries to influence behavior in a similar way. The designs attempt to make public space a bit more hospitable, more ideal. Defensive designs can deter crime, it can prevent the destruction of public property, and it can prevent loitering. But there is a reason why defensive design is characterized as hostile.
大部分的敵意建築設計都試著要用類似的方式影響大家的行為。這些設計意圖要讓公共空間更適宜、更理想一點。防禦性設計可以遏止犯罪、可以避免公共財產的破壞、也能避免遊蕩行為。但防禦性設計被認為有敵意是有原因的。
Take the example of the leaning bar. Disability advocates have a problem with that appearing in the MTA. One advocate pointed out that people who travel who have disabilities or just get tired sometimes need a bench to sit on, and not a wall to lean against. And while no one likes an uncomfortable bench, these additions mean something more for people who are experiencing homelessness.
拿倚靠欄杆當例子。行動不便支持者對於大都會運輸署讓這些欄杆出現很反感。一名支持者指出，通勤的人中，有些行動不便的人，或有時只是有點累的人，都需要一張長椅坐著，而不只是要一片牆壁靠著而已。雖然沒有人喜歡這種不舒適的長椅，這些增設設施對於無家可歸的人影響更大。
The United States is currently experiencing a decline in the overall homeless population. But in New York City, the number of homeless people is growing. About 1,800 people were found to have been sleeping in the subway. That's because emergency shelter isn't always a viable option.
美國目前的整體遊民人口有降低趨勢。但在紐約市，遊民人口卻在增長。約有 1,800 個人睡在地鐵裡。那是因為緊急避難所並不總是個可行的選擇。
There are several examples of hostile architecture that target people who are homeless. These designs imply that public space is not where homeless people should be. As it goes, city planners have a dilemma: How do they design inclusive cities?
有些敵意建築設計的例子就是衝著街友來的。這些設計就是暗示著公共空間不是街友該待的地方。發展至今，都市規劃師面臨兩難：要怎麼設計出包容性的城市呢？
As for the enhanced subway initiative, the MTA's mock designs highlight new USB ports and electronic signage in stations. But you won't find any press materials highlighting this uncomfortable bench—excuse me, the leaning bar. That's because it makes for an uncomfortable discussion about who we design public space for and who gets left out.
在經改善的地鐵新措施方面，大都會運輸署的模擬設計主打全新 USB 充電處和車站內的電子看板。但你不會發現有任何新聞資料會特別提出這種不舒適的長椅－－不好意思，我是說倚靠欄杆。因為這會導致令人不舒服的討論，也就是我們為了誰設計公共空間，以及誰該被屏除在外。
- 「打盹、打瞌睡」- Doze Off
This one has armrests to prevent you from dozing off.
這張長椅有扶手，避免你打瞌睡。 - 「源自於」- Stem From
The concept stems from a school of thought that goes by many names, but today we'll use "defensive design."
這個概念源自於一種學派，有很多名字，但今天我們叫「防禦性設計」。 - 「以…為名」- Go By
The concept stems from a school of thought that goes by many names, but today we'll use "defensive design."
這個概念源自於一種學派，有很多名字，但今天我們叫「防禦性設計」。 - 「認為...討厭、反感」- Have A Problem With...
Disability advocates have a problem with that appearing in the MTA.
行動不便支持者對於大都會運輸署讓這些欄杆出現很反感。 - 「導致、使成為可能」- Make For
That's because it makes for an uncomfortable discussion about who we design public space for and who gets left out.
因為這會導致令人不舒服的討論，也就是我們為了誰設計公共空間，以及誰該被屏除在外。
