Urban Design
Protecting the capital’s buildings and landmarks is essential, but hastily conceived security measures mar the city’s beauty and obstruct access to public streets and spaces. They also contribute to a climate of fear.
NCPC helps minimize the impact of security measures on public accessibility, aesthetic quality, and freedom of movement throughout the city.
Leading the Nation
With the 2002 National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan, NCPC led the nation in finding innovative urban design solutions to meet heightened perimeter security requirements.
The plan shows how to tailor designs to particular sites with a variety of options—hardened street furniture, decorative plinth walls, hedges with embedded security—that can be woven into urban landscapes.
Successful security designs informed by the plan and reviewed by NCPC include:
- The Washington Monument grounds
- Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Museum of Natural History
The American Planning Association recognized the Urban Design and Security Plan with an Outstanding Federal Project award in 2002.
NCPC issued updated policies for reviewing perimeter security projects in 2003 and 2005.
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