Definitions

Camden Bench – Implemented by Camden Borough Council in 2012, the Camden bench is a piece of hostile architecture which is designed to prevent as many ‘unwanted’ behaviours as possible, such as skateboarding, drug dealing, and sleeping.

Coding – When concerned with hostile architecture, coding may be defined as the act of using objects to control a space, in place of other forms of communication, to create a system which communicates an idea without stating it explicitly.

Consumerism – “The belief that it is good to buy and use a lot of goods” (Collins Dictionary)

Hostile architecture - “The design of buildings and public spaces in a way which discourages people from touching, climbing, or sitting on them, to avoid damage or their use for a different purpose” (Collins Dictionary, 2015).

Natural surveillance – Identified by Jacobs (2011), natural surveillance is when a space is overlooked by the general public, who will act when necessary, making the space safer.

POPS – ‘Privately Owned Public Space’, a space which is publicly accessible, but privately managed and owned. First introduced in New York City in the 1961 zoning resolution, POPS was a requirement if new developments wished to exceed a certain building height.

Silent Agent – As described by Savic and Savicic (2012), a silent agent is an object which controls the behaviour in a space, without the explicit presence of site owners or authorities.

Symbolic/symbolism – Symbolism relates to the hidden meaning of an object; hostile architecture often acts as a symbol, or manifestation, of the site owners’ views as to who should, and who should not, be using the space.

Territoriality – Identified by Newman (1973), territoriality relates to ideas of ownership and occupancy, where users or owners use non-verbal communication, such as barriers and signs, to code a space.

Undesirables – The term ‘undesirable’, as described by Whyte (2012, p. 19), relates to a specific type of person, whose behaviours are unwanted by the broader public. Examples include: homeless people, drug addicts, and skateboarders.