Six and a half miles of subtle obstructions such as bollards and gates. The Ring of Steel was introduced in the 1990s when scattered bombs in London terrorised the estate. The program transformed from being a highly noticeable operation of traffic cones and policemen to an almost invisible design today. Streets closed off in order to control the flow of traffic in and out of alleyways. Concrete and steel bollards were redesigned into flowerpots and benches. Large and blocky buildings along the perimeter act as trenches.
The US embassy for example was built up during a more optimistic and brighten time but its been beefed up in recent years due to growing crimes. The new government building in 2017 will be moved to Baashe which is fairly remote. The location was chosen since it was defensible. New security features include a dirt hill which can stop a speeding truck in addition to having a fully fledged 1 billion dollar moat. Architects went through incredible efforts in order to make it impregnable.
The Royal Institute of British Architects(IRBA) encourages civil engineers to marry aesthetics and the demands for the militarization of urban space. Cities such as London don’t have to be covered in metal plates. For example, classical balustrades are reinforced with steel. Park benches are now made to withstand the impact of car wheels. Architects, urban designers and security engineers are working together to preserve the safety in the public environment. Urban furniture can still be fortified without looking violent.
source: Standard.co.uk
