Capital Security Plan Touted

The entry plazas at 15th and 17th Streets will have security checkpoints and bosques of trees.
Illustration by Michael McCann of Michael McCann Illustration

San Francisco-During its annual planning conference on March 22, 2005, the American Planning Association (APA) honored the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) with the 2005 Current Topic Award for Safe Growth for the ?EUR??,,????'??National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan.?EUR??,,????'??

?EUR??,,????'??We reached consensus with more than 75 agencies prior to adopting the document and we are proud to have it serve as a model for planning agencies across the country as cities work to develop their own security plans,?EUR??,,????'?? said John Cogbill III, NCPC chairman. The security design plan was adopted by NCPC in October 2002.

The Van Valkenburgh design has four components:

1. security checkpoints and bosques of trees for the entry plazas at 15th and 17th streets;
2. crushed granite granular paving for the area of Pennsylvania Ave. in front of the White House between Madison and Jackson Places;
3. corridor of large trees on the north side of Pennsylvania Ave. adjacent to Lafayette Park to serve as a roadway for presidential and visiting dignitaries;
4. a ?EUR??,,????'??Circulator?EUR??,,????'?? in front of the White House to allow secure public access to the White House precinct and President's Park. An allee of large trees delineates the Circulator. The design includes historic Washington light fixtures, stone benches and bollards.

The ?EUR??,,????'??National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan?EUR??,,????'?? is available at www.ncpc.gov.

An allee of large trees delineates the ?EUR??,,????'??Circulator.?EUR??,,????'?? The design includes historic Washington light fixtures, stone benches and bollards. Illustration by Michael McCann of Michael McCann Illustration