The Visibility of (In)security: The Aesthetics of Planning Urban Defences Against Terrorism

Urban defences against terrorism have traditionally been based on territorial interventions that sought to seal off and surveil certain public and private spaces considered targets. Lately, though, a much wider range of crowded and public spaces have been viewed as potential targets and thus have been identified as requiring additional security. This has immense implications for the experience of the ‘everyday’ urban landscape. Drawing on contemporary notions that incorporate the study of aesthetics and emotions within critical security and terrorism studies, this article discusses the visual impact of counter-terrorism security measures. It analyses the ‘transmission’ of symbolic messages, as well as the variety of ways in which security might be ‘received’ by various stakeholders. The analysis takes place against the backdrop of concern that obtrusive security measures have the capacity to radically alter public experiences of space and in some cases lead to (intended and unintended) exclusionary practices or a range of negative emotional responses. The article concludes by outlining a ‘spectrum of visible security’ ranging between traditional obtrusive fortified approaches and approaches that embed security features seamlessly or even ‘invisibly’ into the urban fabric

Land use plan, master plan for the Western portion of the Silver Spring planning area, Montgomery County, Maryland

1 map : colored ; 82 x 61 cm. on sheet. Scale: 1:4,80

Map of political subdivisions in Prince George's County, Maryland, 1949

Map of political subdivisions in Prince George's County, Maryland, 1949. Full title reads: "Maryland-Washington metropolitan district and Maryland-Washington regional district in Prince George's County, Maryland, showing political subdivisions, including election districts and incorporated areas, January 3, 1949.

Zoning and highway plan, master plan for the Western portion of the Silver Spring planning area, Montgomery County, Maryland

1 map : colored ; 82 x 61 cm on sheet

Zoning and highway plan, master plan for the Western portion of the Silver Spring planning area, Montgomery County, Maryland

1 map : colored ; 82 x 61 cm on sheet

A General Plan, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties: December 1969.

1 map : colored ; on sheet 115 x 89 cm. Scale. 1:96,000

Land use plan, master plan for the Western portion of the Silver Spring planning area, Montgomery County, Maryland

1 map : colored ; 82 x 61 cm. on sheet. Scale: 1:4,80

A General Plan, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties: December 1969.

1 map : colored ; on sheet 115 x 89 cm. Scale. 1:96,000

Development of the central area west and east of the Capitol--Washington D.C. 1941 /

Indexed for points of interest."1-94.

Anacostia urban core; a study prepared for the National Capital Planning Commission.

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