No Human is Illegal: The Study of Hostile and Anti-Homeless Architecture

Voiceover

Presenter(s)

Jason Minicozzi

Abstract or Description

Homelessness is no longer an ‘issue’, it is a global crisis. Humans across the world suffer from a lack of shelter. Issues range from battling inclimate weather, being victims of violent crimes, or lacking protections for belongings. In Pittsburgh, the homeless face a shortage of living spaces and necessary survival resources. Increasingly, hostile architecture makes certain environments uninhabitable, in that it inhibits the usage of a public amenity. These obstructions include armrests in the middle of a bench, lids atop of a trash can, and spiked ledges. Anti-Homeless architecture has evolved to become more covert as a result of public backlash. Hostile architecture differs from anti-homeless architecture as hostile architecture, such as spikes, are more apparent; whereas anti-homeless architecture is discrete. My research identifies inhibitive architecture as well as the regions within Pittsburgh that this architecture appears. This essay will explore the ways to redesign architecture as less hostile, along with how to provide refuge for those without homes. 

Mentor

Dr. Kathleen Roberts