I agree with everything Christian said. So I'll make like Barack Obama ("John is right"), and add a bit: those ugly concrete blocks look like something out of Soviet Russia. "Here are blocks for you to make sit on!"*

*I am aware that this is a gross parody of actual Russian speech. I am also aware that this is marginally funnier when spoken aloud. Just say it in your favorite bad Russian accent. I'll wait, don't worry.

Anyway, it's clear that this was the brainchild of a thousand different committees--one of them wanted a pedestrian-only space, another probably wanted trees, etc.--and as such is unwanted and unloved by all. Hence, I'll advise the University to practice safe (pro)creation in the future.