onal Capital Planning Commission

November2004Addendum

e National Capital

an Design and Security Plan

OCTOBER 2002
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opNational Capital Urban Design and Security Plan in October 2002—

little more than a year after the September 11 terrorist attacks—security designwas in its infancy. The NCPC plan has since led the nation in exploringinnovative urban design solutions to meet heightened perimeter securityrequirements. In Washington’s monumental core, the design policiesoutlined in The National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan aretransforming the way the federal government secures its land and buildings.The plan has dramatically altered the building-by-building approachtraditionally employed by federal agencies. Today, federal security plannersare working together in multi-agency efforts to develop coherent designplans that run the length of streets and across multi-block precincts. Indesigning their security installations, federal agencies are now collaboratingwith their neighbors to achieve aesthetic continuity.NCPC’s groundbreaking plan also has served as a model for the nation’splanning and design community. NCPC commissioners and staff membershave presented the plan across the country at the request of numerousgroups in the professional community, including the American Society ofLandscape Architects, the American Institute of Architects, and theAmerican Planning Association. In addition, planners from cities big andsmall have sought NCPC’s advice as they work to develop their own securityguidelines. Even planners in foreign capitals such as Ottawa, Canada and asfar away as Canberra, Australia are using the NCPC plan as a model forsimilar initiatives in their own capital cities. Today, architects and planners inthe United States and around the world are working together to integratenew security measures into the public realm in ways that demonstrate thatsecurity and great urban design can be compatible. For its part, NCPC iscommitted to advancing the use of security solutions that do not threatenthe very qualities we seek to protect––accessibility, openness, and civicbeauty.

sion released The 

ESIGN AND SECURITY PLAN

ADDENDUM

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esting of Security Elements

National Capital Planning Commission has

artment of State, the Federal Highway

General Services Administration, the National

cret Service, the Architect of the Capitol, the

ysis Center, and the Department of Homeland

h private-sector vendors to develop the

iture called for in The National Capital Urban

an. Federal agencies are looking to security

a wide array of reinforced street benches, trash

 other streetscape elements to serve as curbside

 ready availability of such new and tested

essential to the successful implementation of

Urban Design and Security Plan. Otherwise, if faced

y concerns and the absence of immediately

and attractive designs, federal agencies will

monotonous rows of bollards and planter pots

en greatly overused.

To allow agencies the time it takes to design and install morethoughtful, permanent security measures, NCPC developed policies toallow federal agencies to install temporary barriers while long-termsolutions are crafted. The policies state that temporary securitymeasures intended to be in place for more than 60 days are subject toNCPC’s review and that temporary security measures may not be inplace longer than two years.Implementation of NCPC’s security plan continues to move forwardin the nation’s capital, much of it as originally envisioned. Agenciesare conducting risk assessments of their facilities and installingsecurity measures as their needs dictate and their funding permits. Incases requiring design solutions along streetscapes or across multipleblocks, agencies have been consulting with one another, often withNCPC serving as a facilitator among the multiple partners.In some cases security measures have increased beyond thoseconceptually outlined in the plan. To address these developments,NCPC has reconvened its Interagency Security Task Force and plansto update The National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan.

e

 an
ENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AT THE WHITE HOUSE 

 dignified new civic space featuring pedestrian-friendly amenities

nd site furnishings now graces the famous stretch of Pennsylvania

venue in front of the White House. As one of the most

mbolically significant destinations in the nation, Pennsylvania

venue was one of the first sites in NCPC’s security plan to be

mpleted. It officially reopened to pedestrians on November 9,

004 during a ceremony with First Lady Laura Bush and the federal

nd local partners who collaborated on the effort.

he completed design closely follows the concept plan presented in

CPC’s 2002 security plan. Twin-headed streetlights originally

signed for Washington by Henry Bacon in 1923 now line the

ecinct. A rustic paving helps unify the White House grounds with

afayette Park, and large granite pavers at the ends of the street and

ong the sidewalk reinforce the connection of the avenue to the

ty’s urban fabric. In place of bulky planter pots, specially designed

uted bollards as well as retractable and removable bollards ensure a

sually open setting. New guard booths complement the classical

chitecture found along the avenue, and more than 85 new

merican elm trees––due to be planted in spring 2005––will provide

welcoming canopy for pedestrians. The project’s design is

versible and does not preclude the reopening of the avenue in the

ture, if and when the security environment permits.

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Numerous projects outlined inNCPC’s urban design and securityplan are already completed or areunder construction at some of thenation’s most symbolic civic sites.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT

In June 2003 the Commission approved the final security design forthe grounds of the Washington Monument. The landscape project,which was in the planning stages at the time NCPC releasedThe National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan, is now underconstruction and scheduled to be completed in 2005. The simpleand minimally intrusive design features a series of oval walkwaysextending around the monument plaza at the base of the mound.These walkways are lined with curved and sunken seating walls thatalso serve as vehicle barriers. Granite will replace the asphalt surfaceof the monument’s plaza, and curved white stone benches will formthe outer edge of the plaza. Approximately 800 new shade andflowering trees will augment 400 existing trees, and new lighting andsignage will grace the monument. The design retains the pastoralquality of this portion of the National Mall and allows visitors toenjoy the grounds and open space of one of Washington’s mostimportant iconic structures.

A ring of jersey barriers surroundedthe Washington Monument prior tothe security improvements.

The new landscape plan for the Washington Monument features oval walkways,curved stone benches, 800 new trees, and new lighting.
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An aerial view of the Lincoln Memorial. New security measures include agranite wall (shown left) that will encircle the memorial at the lawn’s edge.Other planned changes include traffic and pedestrian improvements, newstreet lights, and new concession buildings, in red above.
ITUTION

mmission approved preliminary plans for

res for nine Smithsonian museums on the

appreciated the Smithsonian’s adherence to

e urban design and security plan such as

s within the building yard rather than in the

ng security into already existing site features

g the monumentality of Independence and

ustom designing solutions at entryways and

ing a comprehensive tree planting program.

hitecture, streetscape elements, and roadway

ian tailored its designs to each facility.

enue, for example, existing walls will be

signed bollards will be used to secure

entrances. Along Constitution Avenue the

standing walls on the inside edge of the

ed benches, light poles, and urns will

 fabric of the Mall precinct.

A low fence along Constitution Avenue will help to secure the National Museum of Natural History.

Outside the Smithsonian Castle, a landscaped retaining wall will provide attractive security.
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e Eccles Building along Constitution Avenue, NW

e Federal Reserve’s Martin Building along Virginia Avenue, NW
he Commission has noted the evolution of

ents and the heightened threat levels that

 seek to protect against. While bomb-laden

dered the prime threat and perimeter

ect against those vehicles are the focus of

n Design and Security Plan, federal agencies are

on against other threats such as chemical

sponse, agency security managers are

 array of security measures not envisioned

ecurity plan adopted by the Commission in

mission has grown concerned that these

ents and potentially extreme security

objectives for a vibrant capital city that

eals of openness and accessibility. In

r more sophisticated security measures

ay of threats is beginning to overwhelm

s.

mmission has reconvened its Interagency

etter understand the evolving threat

e risk assessment process; and develop

 security responses. The task force will

al Urban Design and Security Plan to reflect

vironment and the specific needs of federal

munities that surround them.

While updating The National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan,NCPC will continue to work with federal agencies, the Office ofManagement and Budget, and Congress on funding strategies forcomprehensive security design projects. Current funding patternstoo often force agencies to adopt piecemeal approaches to theirsecurity installations. For example, agencies may receive fundingfor new well-designed guard booths but not for the adjacent entryarea, or in some cases money is available to appropriately secure agarage entrance but jersey barriers continue to mar nearby curbs.The Commission recommends funding that enables agencies todevelop complete security installations, and NCPC will continue towork with its partners to encourage the necessary funding for suchcoordinated projects.The updated urban design and security plan also will provideguidance for the design of perimeter security solutions at federalfacilities outside of the monumental core in the National CapitalRegion. Citizens and local officials are increasingly concerned aboutsecurity measures at federal facilities that adversely intrude into theircommunities. Concerns include street closings, divisive perimeterfences, and limited public access to federal land. The updated planwill examine the security and design challenges these federalinstallations face, particularly where they abut non-federal property.As the Commission advances its security design work, it willcontinue to work with its partners and stakeholders to find anacceptable balance between meeting legitimate security needs andcreating lively, welcoming, and economically vibrant communities.

to Heightened Security Measures 

ave become a significant focus of Commission activity and now account for

of the projects that the Commission reviews.