Both Safe and Sorry?

This article discusses how urban design is changing in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Nearly four years after the attacks, the impact of terrorism on urban design and planning has been significant. Standards and guidelines have been developed to combine perimeter security measures with streetscape elements that have been hardened with steel. Structural designs have also been changed to prevent a total collapse or to make building components less lethal in the event of an explosion. Most government agencies and private property managers see the value of installing aesthetically pleasing protective measures. However, they are also demanding large setbacks, street closures, bans on underground parking and limited entrances. These demands clash with traditional principles of urbanism, and will result in a very different city streetscape. Some planners are concerned that these security measures isolate people from buildings and shut buildings off from streets, impairing urban vibrancy.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1762461
• Authors:
  • Flint, Anthony
• Publication Date: 2005-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 4-9
• Serial:
  • Planning
  • Volume: 71
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: American Planning Association
  • ISSN: 0001-2610
  • Serial URL: http://www.planning.org

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cities; City planning; Government agencies; Guidelines; Property management; Security; Standards; Street closure; Streetscape; Structural design; Terrorism; Urban design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Setback line
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01001526
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 2 2005 4:54PM