ASLA Set to Release Security Design LATIS
"Security Design in a New Cultural and Legal Landscape: Context, Concepts, and Approaches" covers the issue from a broad range and in the language of crime prevention.

ASLA promotes the profession of landscape architecture in many ways—one way is by being a source of information to members. The Landscape Architecture Technical Information Series (LATIS), which is produced in conjunction with the ASLA Fund, delivers in-depth information on new and developing practice areas from leading authorities.

A new LATIS paper will be released at the end of July. Toward the end of the month, expect an email from ASLA announcing the release of “Security Design in a New Cultural and Legal Landscape: Context, Concepts, and Approaches.”

“Security Design in a New Cultural and Legal Landscape” presents an account of both the rise of security as a design objective and the growth of tools for integrating security into the design program. Although security design is often associated with protection from terrorist threats, this paper considers the subject more broadly and in the language of crime prevention.

The paper will help landscape architects understand and adjust to new responsibilities, expectations, and approaches for providing security as an element of designed space. Readers are also directed to further opportunities to build skills in this mode of analysis and design.

The author, Sean E. Michael, is Associate Professor and Landscape Architecture Program Coordinator at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. In addition to his experience as an educator and design professional, Michael has spoken widely about crime prevention through environmental design and has delivered CPTED trainings and reviews for private firms and municipalities.

ASLA publishes LATIS papers as PDFs available on ASLA’s website to ASLA members at no charge; nonmembers may access the papers for a fee. Each paper is published along with a 15-to 20-question self-test, through which the reader can earn professional development hours. There is a $40 processing fee for ASLA to score the self-test answer sheets and confirm satisfactory completion.

Other LATIS papers to look for in coming months will cover wayfinding, green roofs, and ecological restoration. Additionally, a second LATIS paper on security design will be released later in 2006, to guide the reader through designing and specifying specific site components to implement the security program.

ASLA always welcomes suggestions from members on topics for future LATIS papers. Please contact Jennifer Strassfeld with your suggestions.