For almost a decade, security features have been added to the perimeters of important public buildings without regard for aesthetics, and now are being 'beautified,' across the nation.
"When a security person looks at a security barrier or looks at the issue of perimeter security, their primary object is protecting people, or sometimes material objects," says Roger Courtenay, a veteran landscape architect in the Washington area. This colors everything that the pedestrian thinks about as they move through the space.
"Some buildings and cities have begun to think about this, and realized that well designed perimeter security doesn't have to look like perimeter security at all," writes Emily Badger
Five years ago, the National Park Service finally decided to solve the problem of protecting the National Monument by hiring landscape architect Laurie Olin. She designed what appears to be a decorative wall at the base of the hill on which the monument sits. It is unobtrusive and attractive to tourists and yet will stop a speeding truck, and is emblematic of a trend that has seen cities around the world embellish perimeters required for security.
FULL STORY: The Burgeoning Field Of Security Perimeter Design

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont