Hostile prototypes: plastic urbanism in San Francisco

Turning to the concept of plasticity in philosophy Catherine Malabou, this article traces an approach urban change as a volatile movement giving, receiving and exploding form. It diverges from lines thinking within cultural geography that affirm lively processes relations, instead calling attention finite fragile morphologies cities their exposure threat destruction. The examines planning programme San Francisco which invites local groups craft care for temporary street furniture. Intended facilitate civic engagement, such artefacts acquire plastic properties further divide disrupt populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Attuning negative power form illuminates emerging hostile urbanism utilises provisional structures irreversibly alter constitution places.