Security can be Harmonious

After the Department of Homeland Security announced the possibility of terrorist attacks against "iconic" financial structures, the American Society of Landscape Architects responded by posting abstracts from its recent security design symposium for

After the Department of Homeland Security announced the possibility of terrorist attacks against "iconic" financial structures, the American Society of Landscape Architects responded by posting abstracts from its recent security design symposium for free download.

“Safe Spaces: Designing for Security and Civic Values,” was held in late July in Chicago. It featured experts in security planning and design who contributed abstracts of their presentations for the publication.

"Security design and good design are not mutually exclusive ideals," said Nancy C. Somerville, executive vice president of ASLA, regarding the decision to make the document available at no charge. Plans “must also respect the beauty and accessibility of our public realm, which represents our nation's values as an open and democratic society,” she said.

Much of the information concerns designing for security in public spaces such as federal buildings and parks. The document also contains an overview of FEMA's new Risk Management Series, which discusses how design can mitigate potential terrorist attacks. One caveat: it's 69 pages, so be prepared if you have a less than speedy connection. To download, see: ww.asla.org/abstracts.