Urban Environment - Bridges

[ebacon]

This morning there was a news story about vandals that tossed a rock off a bridge and struck a motorist, seriously injuring her. The story made me think of a coworker who suffered a similar accident in Detroit. His passenger was killed by a bowling ball that was tossed off a bridge.

Do such things happen in Europe? If not, what might be differences that result in a better-behaved populace?

One of the things that struck me upon arriving in the States was the seeming abundance of things that we are NOT supposed to do. It seemed like every other sign started with NO. No loitering. No skateboarding. No, no, no. It also struck me as odd that the pedestrian bridges had tall chain link fencing on them. They are ugly.

What might be a societal effect of all the nos and fencing? Might youth feel as though they are stifled and distrusted? Might they lash out when they finally get a chance?

It would be interesting to get some professional insight on the topic of architecture and societal effects.

Here is some artistic insight:
Signs - Five Man Electric Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeT5otk2R1g