Where Did Public Benches Go?

What do we risk losing when we have less public, non-commercial places to “just be?”

Growing up in Dubai, I remember how malls had benches placed every few steps for people to rest in between shopping. I never appreciated how those seemingly insignificant benches were part of the city’s hospitable spirit until I stopped seeing them.

The reasons for the disappearance of these benches seem obvious: to encourage people to rest in between shopping by spending money at a café or a restaurant. As a psychologist, I notice the emotional and communal costs of benches disappearing from public areas. I believe that their disappearance reflects a more significant problem that is affecting cities globally in their drive towards “progress.”

The disappearance of benches seems to have coincided with the popularity of smartphones and with businesses crowding the beaches. This means fewer places to sit on and appreciate where we are and who we are with. Being present this way is the opposite of “doing something” or “consuming something.” Being present involves allowing our minds to wander. It can be as simple as people-watching, admiring the architecture, or watching the waves. It involves connecting with a “sense of place” which can easily be lost in rapid changes. Since much of our daily routine is goal-directed, it is crucial to balance this with resting our minds by allowing ourselves to do nothing.

With fewer places to “just be,” it is no wonder that people appear to be rushed to get from place to place. When we are physically feeling rushed, our minds also become rushed, making it harder to “switch off.” This can increase the risks of developing medical problems like high blood pressure, and psychological problems like anxiety disorders.

Although not everyone experiences those risks, the inability to “switch off” limits our capacity to get to know ourselves outside of the limitations of our routines and roles. The more we are driven to consume, the less likely we are to appreciate what we already have, and the more likely we are to compare each other based on our possessions. Comparisons based on the haves and have-nots foster isolation, superficial relationships, and bullying, which can all take a toll on our mental health.

Malls are among the few places where people can connect with a semblance of communal life outside of work, school, religious institutions, and the few recreational clubs. In cooler times, beaches and parks become additional gathering places. But as more outdoor spaces become commercialized around the world, cities get more fragmented across differences in financial privilege. This means that more people, especially those who are not living with family, are being left out from having opportunities to meet others. This, on top of financial struggles, can risk their mental health and reduce their connection with important supports.

Anxiety, followed by drug addiction, depression, eating disorders, and schizophrenia are the top mental health disorders affecting the UAE population. Globally, suicide is one of the top causes of death and ranks higher than murder or traffic accidents. While the UAE government has been taking significant strides in addressing mental health, developers and businesses still need to understand the public health consequences of increasing commercialization. How can the economy flourish if the humans it relies on are unwell?