October 06, 2011
Protection Around the Globe
by Jessie Godinho
“Every nation has something peculiar in its manufactures, its works of genius, its medicines, its agriculture, its customs, and its policy. He only is a useful traveler, who brings home something by which his country might be benefited; who procures some supply of want, or some mitigation of evil, which may enable his readers to compare their condition with that of others, to improve it whenever it is worse, and whenever it is better to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson
I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to both travel and live abroad- relishing the amazing experiences it has provided. Traveling has offered tremendous opportunities not only for fun and adventure but perhaps more importantly, for increasing my knowledge of new cultures and ways of living. It has widened my perspective and given me a new understanding and appreciation of humanity as a whole. There is nothing like stepping off a plane and discovering the sights, sounds, tastes and surroundings that make each place, culture and society unique.
After working as a physical security consultant at Hinman for the past five years and continuing my passion for exploring new places around the world, I began to recognize that traveling can not only provide incredible insight into a society through their language, food, and customs, but also through the level of operational and physical security implemented within both the private and public sector. While the first and most obvious introduction to a country’s security is at the airport, taking the time to observe one’s surroundings as you walk to the next landmark, museum or other attraction can be incredibly revealing.
How are security measures integrated into the surrounding architecture and landscape? Does the design attempt to integrate security to create a sense of openness and transparency, or does it make a strong visual statement that gives the impression of robustness and protection? Is there an overwhelming presence of security personnel, and if so, are they visibly armed? What, if any, level of screening is provided within both the public and private realm?
Asking these questions can not only be revealing in the answers themselves but also in the way each society responds to them. What level of tolerance do the people have for the implementation of security measures? Is it accepted as a necessity or viewed as inconvenient or even invasive? Further, does it make them feel safer or leave them with an underlying feeling of uneasiness?
Observing different approaches to incorporating security into the design of buildings, landscape and daily operations throughout the world is not only fascinating but also allows us to sharpen our ability to examine and improve how we implement it within our own projects in the United States and abroad.
This blog is the first of many that track the travels of Hinman's engineers. With each new destination, we hope to share observations of the many different approaches to security around the globe.
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