Take a Seat, Dubai Is Benching

by Sophie She

Take a Seat, Dubai Is Benching

15 Feb 2024

“The urban bench has been romanticised as a location of intimacy and benign social serendipity, and problematised with regard to perceptions of unwelcome loitering,” as stated by Clare Rishbeth and Ben Rogaly in their 2017 paper “Sitting Outside: Conviviality, Self-Care and the Design of Benches in Urban Public Space”.

In recent years, Dubai has witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of benches strategically placed throughout the city. These benches have become integral to Dubai's urban design, from bustling commercial districts to serene parks. This reflects a trend in recognising the multifaceted role that these seemingly simple structures play in shaping urban experiences. A scholarly exploration into the dynamics of bench usage in urban spaces, such as the one conducted in the academic paper on Woolwich's Gordon Square, sheds light on the importance of benches in fostering conviviality, addressing issues of inequality, and influencing the overall design of public spaces.

The work by Rishbeth and Rogaly, based on a case study in Woolwich, London, sheds light on the multifaceted nature of bench usage. The research employs a schizocartographic methodology, exploring the diverse experiences of individuals using benches against the backdrop of corporate-led regeneration, austerity urbanism, and historical and ongoing racism. This methodology offers a nuanced perspective on the micro-geographies of conviviality and care, emphasising the importance of architectural design in shaping public spaces.

Self-Love in the urban fabric

The UK study highlights that benches are not merely places to sit but are hubs of social interaction, providing a platform for encounters, conversations, and shared experiences. Dubai's commitment to delivering more benches aligns with a growing acknowledgement of the importance of conviviality in public spaces. As Dubai aims to create inclusive public spaces, the increased availability of benches fosters a sense of community, encouraging diverse groups to come together and engage in the city's vibrant tapestry.

Photo: Nikita Berezhnoy

The authors state that sitting on a bench is not merely about physical rest but involves complex negotiations of care, self-care, and interactions with the surrounding environment. According to Tronto’s broad definition in the study, self-care is “a species activity that includes everything that we do to maintain, continue, and repair our ‘world’ so that we can live in it as well as possible. That world includes our bodies, ourselves, and our environment, all of which we seek to interweave in a complex, life-sustaining web” (Tronto 1998, 15).

So, as one of the world's most modern and technologically advanced cities, Dubai must create public spaces of self-love for inhabitants to survive and “repair their world”. Inspired by a global shift towards self-preservation, Dubai's bench boom recognises the importance of considering its population's diverse needs and experiences.

Benches as culture

Undoubtedly, Dubai’s urban development is characterised by innovative architecture and design. But it is also about incorporating benches that align with a broader vision of creating inclusive and accessible public spaces. The paper suggests that the physical organisation of social spaces profoundly influences the logic of connection or discrimination. Dubai's benches shape an urban environment that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also socially inclusive.

Photo: Nikita Berezhnoy

Furthermore, the Woolwich study emphasises the role of benches in promoting un-panicked multiculturalism. Similarly, Dubai's commitment to diversity is reflected in its urban planning initiatives, with benches serving as meeting points for people from various cultural backgrounds. The communal context of benches in Dubai encourages interactions that challenge normative narratives and serves as an equaliser by providing spaces for everyone to pause and engage with their surroundings. Benches contribute to the democratisation of public spaces, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds.

Dubai's embrace of the bench revolution aligns with a global understanding of public spaces' vital role in enhancing the quality of urban life. So, the next time you find yourself on a city bench — know that this experience was also carefully crafted for your well-being.

by Sophie She