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Austrian mayor dismantles anti-homeless barriers in bold urban shift

A small Austrian city takes a stand against hostile design. Could this spark a global rethink of how public spaces treat society's most vulnerable?

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
The image shows an abandoned building with graffiti on the walls. The floor is littered with metal...
The image shows an abandoned building with graffiti on the walls. The floor is littered with metal objects, and there are windows on the right side of the image. The walls are covered in graffiti, giving the building a unique and eerie atmosphere.

Austrian mayor dismantles anti-homeless barriers in bold urban shift

The mayor of Dornbirn, Austria, has taken a stand against so-called defensive architecture by removing wooden wedges from train station seats. These barriers, designed to stop homeless people from lying down, were criticised as exclusionary and ineffective. The move marks a shift toward more inclusive urban planning in the city.

Mayor Markus Fässler personally dismantled the wooden wedges at Dornbirn's train station, calling the previous government's approach ineffective. He argued that such measures simply push social issues out of sight rather than address them. The term defensive architecture was even named the third Unword of the Year in 2022 for this very reason.

Protests against similar designs have taken place in other cities, including Hamburg and Munich. Activists in those areas removed barriers meant to prevent homeless people from resting in public spaces. Experts in architecture and construction research have long rejected defensive architecture, advocating instead for holistic solutions that foster social cohesion. To create lasting change, Dornbirn has formed an interdisciplinary working group. Their task is to develop sustainable ways to make the train station safer and more welcoming for everyone. The mayor also plans to introduce more contact points and social support for passengers at the bus station. The city's approach mirrors successful projects elsewhere. Le Plessis-Robinson, near Paris, transformed a hostile, barren area into a thriving community by building affordable housing and integrating temporary accommodations. Such inclusive designs encourage interaction and signal a commitment to social inclusion.

Dornbirn's decision reflects a broader movement toward human-centred urban planning. The removal of defensive barriers is the first step in a larger effort to improve public spaces. The working group's proposals will determine how the city balances safety with inclusivity in the long term.

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