Why HDFC Put Up Spikes Outside Its Branch

A few days back, pedestrians and passers-by were shocked to see a sheet of spikes that was put up outside the HDFC branch at Fort in Mumbai. The metal spikes that were really sharp and deadly had been put up by the bank officials in an attempt to stop any homeless people from squatting or sleeping around their premises.

The city was quick to react and many people started sharing images of the deadly metal spikes outside the branch office, calling it a shame and likening it to the ‘defensive architecture’ that had been installed in London as a means to prevent the homeless people from using those commercial spaces to sleep or sit. However, it was reported that the spikes that were installed outside the HDFC branch office at Fort were much bigger, sharper and more dangerous than the ones that were put up in the UK.

The entire thing was looked upon as a danger to any person who was nearby or even walking by, especially because the path outside the branch was very narrow and was mostly crowded, and could pose a threat to anyone around, especially during the rush office hours.

What Is Defensive Architecture That This Installation Was Likened To?

Defensive architecture is a term that is used to describe certain modifications that are done to some architectural piece, such as to a building or any public space that is otherwise very subtle and may not immediately come in the notice of the regular public, but that can actually make it difficult for certain groups of people or certain types of individuals to be around those installations.

In this case, the defensive architecture was the addition of the metal spikes to the HDFC branch office that was discouraging to the homeless people around, who would probably use that little space to sleep and stay during the night, or for young mothers who would use that space to let their babies and young children sleep there during the day.

After the tremendous public outrage that was shared all over social media in the past few days, HDFC did remove the metal spikes from the said branch, but what they have done is again a reflection towards the apathy that we usually have towards the faceless and homeless ones who visit our cities and battle each day to survive here.

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