Embassies are a critical diplomatic tool, but their original emphasis on representing a state has given way to defending the diplomats inside.
The American Society of Landscape Architects uses examples of Danish and American diplomatic architecture to show the change in design, orientation and use in embassies over the last century. From being housed in refurbished mansions, to flirtations with modernists like Aero Saarinen for the American Embassy in London, the approach to design remained steadfastly expansive and grand. Contemporary models like Standard Embassy Design (SED) are constructed around the assumption that "every embassy is a terrorist target." This echoes military standard operating procedure, and reflects not just the increased danger faced by the US abroad but the growing militarization of foreign policy.
FULL STORY: Diplomacy Through Architecture
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
