Feng Shui Comes to Urban Planning

Sometimes it's best to try the simple solutions to end intractable problems. This idea for curbing panhandling has a certain zen-like simplicity.

The city [of Santa Barbara] is using $50,000 in redevelopment funds to turn 14 sidewalk benches perpendicular to the storefronts they now face. If successful, the pilot program will be expanded.

Redevelopment agency supervisor Marck Aguilar says the realignment will make it difficult for the city's sizable downtown homeless population to establish contact with passers-by because they will be sitting with their backs to half the people coming and going on the sidewalk.[emphasis added, ed.]

Brilliant!