Intermediate position

Establishing an intermediate position between exposure to a wider range of influences and enclosure within a more controlled environment is strategically advantageous. Such a position is attractive because it facilitates choice of the degree of exposure acceptable at any one time.

Front door benches encourage people to linger around the entrance to a building. People, especially the young and the old, like to watch street activity from them because they want to be able to control their degree of involvement, encouraging interaction with passers-by or withdrawing from it.