The Atlantic

How Cities Use Design to Drive Homeless People Away

Saying "you're not welcome here"—with spikes.
Source: Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

Earlier this month, someone tweeted a picture of a series of metal spikes built into the ground outside a London apartment building.

The spikes were intended to discourage homeless. “ugly, self defeating & stupid,” and “unacceptable!!!!” over a set of spikes outside of a Tesco supermarket. Then, after a petition was signed by nearly 130,000 people, from the London apartment building, the Tesco, and downtown Montreal.         

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