Embedded Planning Guide to Uptown Whittier — A Photo Essay
<p><em>Image 2:</em> Outside the LA County Superior Court Whittier Courthouse, we examined a bus bench outfitted with conspicuous crossbars. These could be understood as handrails, but they have a more nefarious purpose: they prevent sleeping. It’s a common example of Defensive Design, also known as Hostile Architecture. I defined <a href="https://c1typlann3r.medium.com/interview-hostile-architecture-in-los-angeles-jonathan-pacheco-bell-1204b901560e" rel="noopener">Hostile Architecture</a> as elements of the built environment that prevent normal human activities — sitting, sleeping, playing — and target vulnerable populations. Hostile Architecture creates inequitable public space. I explained Mike Davis’s trailblazing critique in the <a href="http://www.u.arizona.edu/~compitel/Fortress%20LA.pdf" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Fortress LA</a> chapter in <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-unfulfilled-american-dream-stalks-mike-daviss-dystopian-los-angeles-in-his-masterful-city-of-quartz-193629" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">City of Quartz</a>. As we <a href="https://medium.com/@c1typlann3r/thank-you-mike-davis-30981785612b" rel="noopener">lost Mike</a> last year, I encouraged the students to read his work so Mike can live on in us.</p>
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