Designer Fabian Brunsing has created a new type of park bench, and rather than being able to sit and read your newspaper for free, this is one you actually have to pay for.
As you will see in the video below, the Pay & Sit park bench features built-in spikes. When you insert a half a Euro coin, the spikes retract, and you are able to sit on the bench.
How the Pay & Sit Bench Works
When your time is up, an alarm sounds and the spikes pop up again. Luckily, the spikes seem to pop up slowly; otherwise, this could end up being quite painful. The concept behind this bench is to encourage people to use public spaces responsibly and to prevent loitering. By charging a small fee, it ensures that the benches are used by those who genuinely need a place to sit for a short period.
The Pay & Sit bench is not just a piece of urban furniture; it is a statement on the commercialization of public spaces. In many cities, public spaces are increasingly being privatized, and this bench is a physical manifestation of that trend. It raises questions about accessibility and the right to use public amenities without financial barriers.
Implications and Public Reaction
The public reaction to the Pay & Sit bench has been mixed. Some people see it as a clever way to manage public spaces and ensure that benches are available for those who need them. Others view it as a step too far in the commercialization of public spaces. The idea of having to pay to sit on a bench in a public park is seen by some as exclusionary and unfair, particularly to those who may not have the means to pay.
There are also concerns about the safety and practicality of the bench. While the spikes are designed to retract slowly, there is always the risk of someone getting hurt if they do not move in time. Additionally, the need to carry coins to use the bench may be inconvenient for many people, especially in an increasingly cashless society.
Despite these concerns, the Pay & Sit bench has sparked important conversations about the use and management of public spaces. It challenges us to think about how we value and use these spaces and who gets to decide how they are managed.
Geekosystem via Neatorama,
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