A Bench is More Than a Bench

Benches have the power to change communities. That’s one of the findings from a global study on public spaces undertaken by the Social Life Project .

According to study Fred Kent, an urban geographer and authority on revitalizing city spaces, a bench affirms that the street belongs to the community and is somewhere for people to sit in and enjoy. “Where there is seating,” writes Kent, “there is life.” It starts with a place to sit, he says, then creates ripples of social life that travel down the block. Benches make streets, neighbourhoods, towns, and cities safer and happier places to be.

“If we can get a bench on every corner, we can shape our communities around safe, social places to gather,”Kent concludes. “We can bring people to the forefront as a city's most important residents again, instead of giving that role to cars.”

You can see the full report and a large portfolio of photographs visit Social Life Project Photos.