Design
A Call for 'Safety Gardens' to Protect From Vehicular Terrorism
After the attack on London Bridge, a campaign envisions an alternative to concrete barriers that would protect pedestrians and memorialize victims at the same time.
Visit the site of one of London’s recent terrorist attacks and the new safety barriers are unmissable.
Strung across London’s central bridges, these metal and concrete buffers are a grim reminder of the recent violence here, where attackers affiliating themselves with ISIS drove into crowds before attacking passers-by with knives. There could be far worse reminders, of course—these barriers still shield pedestrians from some of the deadly possibilities of vehicular terrorism. But in a city that’s trying to return to normal, people are asking if there isn’t a better way to protect citizens, one that isn’t so stark, harsh-looking, or imposing on daily life.