Striking the Balance Between Protection, Aesthetic Appeal, and Public Reassurance in Urban Spaces
Designing Safer Streets: Merging Security with Urban Design
In a world where the threat landscape constantly evolves, the role of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) in shaping secure yet welcoming public spaces has never been more crucial. Public Realm Security planners face the unique challenge of integrating robust protection measures into the urban fabric while maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of our cities. From thwarting Vehicle-as-a-Weapon (VAW) attacks to neutralising the risk of Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), HVM design is a sophisticated blend of science, strategy, and creativity.
Understanding Modern Threats to the Public Realm
Terrorists have increasingly exploited vehicles in their arsenal of attack methodologies, with devastating consequences. The primary vehicle-borne threats include:
- Vehicle as a Weapon (VAW): Perpetrators deliberately use vehicles to cause harm, driving into crowds to inflict injury or death.
- Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs): These “vehicle bombs” are engineered to deliver maximum destruction to infrastructure, alongside mass casualties and societal disruption.
- Layered Attacks: A chilling combination where an initial VAW assault transitions into a Marauding Terrorist Attack (MTA) as perpetrators leave the vehicle to continue their assault on foot.
The dynamic nature of these threats necessitates adaptive and informed urban planning, ensuring public spaces remain both safe and flexible in responding to evolving risks.
Crafting Holistic HVM Solutions
Every public space is unique, requiring a tailored approach to security. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all solutions; today’s HVM measures must balance several key considerations:
- Proportionality: Mitigation strategies must align with the assessed risk level of a location.
- Versatility: Forward-thinking designs allow for adjustments as threats evolve or as the purpose of a space changes.
- Aesthetics: The integration of security features must enhance, not detract from, the environment.
- Functionality: Multi-purpose elements such as planters, sculptures, and street furniture serve dual roles in security and placemaking.
- Accessibility: Inclusive design ensures spaces remain open and welcoming to Authorised vehicle access, disabled users’ access, residents’ access, VIP access, Deliveries, blue light access.
- Ease of Service & Maintenance: Insuring integrity / working order. Sustainable solutions are as practical as they are effective.
ATG Access permanent HVM bollards installation outside M&S
The Science of Distance: Why Every Metre Matters
One of the simplest yet most effective measures in HVM is increasing the distance between potential threats and their targets. Stand-off distance plays a critical role in public realm security by mitigating the impact of a VBIED explosion and providing people precious seconds to react and respond to a VAW attack. Incorporating thoughtful layouts that create natural barriers – such as water features, raised planters, or berms – can drastically improve safety without sacrificing visual appeal. HVM is a combined solution of product and processes.
Passive vs Active Measures: The HVM Arsenal
HVM measures fall into two primary categories:
- Passive: Static solutions such as sculptures, walls, ditches, or natural topographical changes that double as aesthetic or functional design features.
- Active: Mechanised and manually-operated elements like bollards, gates, and road blockers that are constantly performing their function.
When skilfully integrated, these measures contribute to a sense of security, while enhancing the character of a public space.
More Than Protection: The Hidden Benefits of HVM
HVM is not just about thwarting threats; it also offers secondary benefits that enhance urban life. Properly designed measures can:
- Reduce vehicle speeds, improving road safety.
- Create an atmosphere of public reassurance.
- Contribute to environmental improvements, such as urban greening and biodiversity through plantings.
- Introduce visually pleasing elements like fountains or artistic sculptures that enrich the streetscape.
- Provide useful wayfinding information
- Can also offer revenue generation opportunities through branding, advertising, or customisation through bespoke shrouds or corporate colours.
The Art of Striking a Balance
The ultimate challenge for perimeter security professionals lies in striking the delicate balance between form and function. For instance, deploying robust HVM solutions outside high-value targets, such as the Houses of Parliament, often calls for visually dominant elements that deter potential attackers. Conversely, more subtle measures are suitable for schools or parks, where a welcoming atmosphere is paramount.
Urban HVM design is both an art and a science. It requires a careful assessment of risk, location, and community sentiment to deliver solutions that safeguard people without diminishing their experience of the space.
The Future of Secure Public Spaces
With attack methodologies continuously evolving, the future of urban design depends on the ability to anticipate and adapt. The NPSA’s Public Realm Design Guide for HVM (3rd Edition) offers a valuable toolkit for integrating security seamlessly into the urban environment, ensuring that public spaces remain secure, beautiful, and functional for years to come.
HVM in public spaces needs to operationally viable and flexible enough to adapt to changing threat levels – it needs to have purpose. Issues to consider can include levels of pedestrian traffic, authorised vehicle access, and whether roads/ spaces need to be closed/ opened at particular times, to name a few. The understanding of threats, vulnerabilities and risk is essential as an operational requirement.
For designers integrating HVM solutions into their public realm security plan, the mission is clear: design streets that inspire confidence, protect lives, and celebrate the vibrancy of urban life. In doing so, HVM solutions can transform from necessary defences into integral features of the cities we cherish.