n
Designing a
PETEr
hEATh
Architect and
TIO Town Planner
A
E
r
n
EGE
r
safer London
PlAnnInG
lAnDSCAPE
AnD hErITAGE
T: 020 71212376
peter.heath@atkinsglobal.com
19
Atkins has helped design and develop a Using expertise from across Atkins, which was
major street improvement project in Whitehall, instrumental to the success of the planning process,
london, that sensitively incorporates new the team was able to prepare successful application
security measures that also reaps tourism documents covering planning access, design,
and heritage benefits. archaeology and ecology in support of the Planning
and Listed Building Applications.
The £25 million Whitehall Streetscape Improvement
Project includes areas of national importance The success of the project was recently recognised
such as Downing Street and Parliament Square through winning the ‘Security in the Public
and involved close collaboration with the City Realm Award’ by the Institution of Highways and
of Westminster, West One, Purcell Miller Tritton Transportation. The project also builds on the
Architects and Transport for London. The design team’s success from the multiple award winning
incorporates new physical security measures to ‘World Squares For All Masterplan’– Trafalgar
combat any potential threat from vehicle borne Square Area Improvements. n
attacks and has transformed the area into a safer,
Before
more pleasant environment for residents, workers
and visitors.
The increased global threat of terrorism was the key
driver for the project and was led by the Cabinet
Office on behalf of eleven government departments
based in Whitehall. Extensive planning, research and
consultation was undertaken to meet the security,
traffic, pedestrian, transportation and cultural needs
of the partners and stakeholders. In all, some 50
organisations were consulted in the process.
“ There is a true spirit
of collaboration, frank
communication and
considerable trust on all
sides involved.”
After
Cabinet Office Project Manager
Atkins’ role has included providing concept and
detailed design of the landscape architecture, town
planning, heritage and urban design. The team’s
input has helped to achieve a balance in meeting
the essential security requirements, but in a manner
sympathetic to the landscape and consistent with
the historic architecture.
The team used innovative thinking throughout the
design process to ensure the safety requirement was
met. They have widened footways and introduced
walls and balustrades and used traditional bollards as
barriers, with best quality materials used throughout.
Extensive traffic modelling further ensured that public
transport and other vehicle access were maintained
as part of the project’s primary aims. Above: Balustrades were installed outside the Treasury to improve protection from vehicle borne attacks.
solutions | Autumn 2008
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