Dec 17, 2020

Security

Many federal facilities and grounds in the nation’s capital have open and accessible designs, serving as physical representations of our government and the country’s democratic ideals. However, after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the events of September 11, 2001, security needs were elevated and unsightly temporary solutions often restricted access to public space. NCPC has been at the forefront of developing guidelines to address security, urban design, and public access in a thoughtful and balanced manner. NCPC led early efforts to develop effective security approaches that also preserve the openness of Washington, DC’s public spaces and enhance the civic realm. Through planning, policymaking, and project review, NCPC continues to advance new approaches to achieve security and public space goals in the National Capital Region.

Highlight: Rethinking Security & Access in Public Space

As planners and designers, our responsibility is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all. But how do we keep people safe in these public spaces while ensuring they remain active social spaces that foster civic engagement and openness? This question was the central discussion point for a two-part colloquium—an expert panel public session and symposium—hosted by the National Capital Planning Commission in partnership with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) on September 24-25, 2019.

The security colloquium examined the range of threats faced by people occupying public spaces, how the threat environment has evolved since September 11, and the impact of more prevalent vehicular attacks. An important discussion point was how to ensure the safety of visitors while ensuring that public spaces remain inclusive, inviting, and active places.
Read the Report

NCPC Key Guidance

Urban Design Element

This element incorporates previous NCPC plans and guidance on perimeter security and public realm needs (described below) into the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. It is the primary policy document used by NCPC to review project and master plan perimeter security proposals.

Read More

Interagency Security Committee

Established in 1995, the Interagency Security Committee (ISC) addresses continuing government-wide security for federal facilities. The ISC standards apply to all non-military federal facilities in the United States—whether government-owned, leased, or managed; to be constructed or modernized; or to be purchased.

Read More

Unified Facilities Criteria

Unified Facilities Criteria (UFCs) are developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) and apply to all military federal facilities.

In addition to UFC 2-100-01 for Installation Master Planning, several UFCs are commonly used to guide perimeter security: UFC 4-010-01 DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings, 2013; UFC 4-022-01 Security Engineering: Entry Control Facilities / Access Control Points, May 25, 2005; UFC 4-022-02 Selection and Application of Vehicle Barriers, August 2010; and UFC 4-022-03 Security Fences and Gates, October 1, 2013.

Read More

Overview of Documents and Initiatives

Through plans, project review, and interagency coordination, NCPC continues to advance new approaches to achieve security and public space goals in the National Capital Region. NCPC’s approach to perimeter security has evolved, moving away from unsightly planters to encourage security approaches more seamlessly integrated into buildings and landscapes.

  • President’s Park South

    NCPC, with the National Park Service and the United States Secret Service, sponsored a competition to redesign President’s Park into a secure, yet more attractive, accessible, and sustainable setting for the White House. This project remains in consideration.

    Read More

  • White House Area Transportation Study

    Following the closure on E Street, NW on the south side of the White House, federal, and District agencies agencies studied ways to improve east-west through traffic across town and circulation in the area.

    Read More

  • Freight Railroad Realignment Feasibility Study

    This study identified urban design and security concerns related to freight rail operations in Washington, DC, and proposed alternative route alignments for future study. The Capital Gateway rail improvements and other projects underway limit the applicability of this study.

    Read More

  • Designing and Testing of Perimeter Security Elements

    This document provides technical information about the design of crashworthy barriers.

    Read More

  • Security Policies

    After September 11, 2001, federal facilities across the region submitted proposals to NCPC for temporary and permanent perimeter security projects. To provide consistent guidance to applicants and review staff, NCPC developed policies regarding security barrier design and placement. The 2003 Policy on Design and Review of Physical Perimeter Security Improvements and the 2005 National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan Objectives and Policies were NCPC’s official policies regarding security barrier design and placement until superseded by the adoption of the 2016 Urban Design Element.

    Read More

  • Pennsylvania Avenue at the White House

    NCPC, in coordination with the National Park Service and the United States Secret Service, initiated a redesign of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House to integrate permanent physical security features into an accessible and beautiful public space befitting of this iconic, historic location. This document summarizes the recommendations

    Read More

  • National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan

    Building on Designing for Security, this plan guided the design of contextually sensitive physical security features in Washington’s monumental core, and introduced a “kit of parts” for permanent physical security solutions. The first plan nationally to address the impacts of perimeter security in public space, it received the American Planning Association 2005 Current Topic – Safe Growth Award. Addendums were released in 2004 and 2005. This report was a joint product of the Interagency Security Task Force and NCPC.

    Read More

  • Designing for Security in the Nation’s Capital

    In response to the unsightly security features erected after the Oklahoma City bombing, NCPC adopted this document in November 2001 to guide the design of future security features in Washington, DC. NCPC in partnership with the members of the Interagency Security Task Force prepared this report.

    Read More

  • Interagency Security Task Force

    In 2001, NCPC established the Interagency Security Task Force (ISTF), comprised of federal and local government policy, security, and design professionals, to address the impact of building security on Washington’s monumental core. The ISTF stakeholders worked on many of the projects and plans listed above. The ISTF built understanding of emerging security requirements and approaches that met security needs while respecting Washington’s public spaces; prioritized federal security investments: and encouraged security planning at a precinct scale to provide coordinated approaches addressing the needs of multiple facilities. The ISTF is no longer active.

Related Projects

The National Capital Planning Commission is the federal government's planning agency for the National Capital Region.

The 12-member Commission meets monthly to adopt, approve, or provide advice on plans and projects that impact the nation's capital and surrounding areas.

401 9th Street, NW
Suite 500N
Washington DC 20004
Phone: (202) 482-7200
Fax: (202) 482-7272
Email: info@ncpc.gov
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service