A sponsored publication provided by Maltaward, a leading supplier of temporary and permanent concrete barrier solutions, who specialise in interlocking concrete blocks, Jersey barriers and modular security infrastructure for commercial and public sector applications.
An evergreen challenge facing urban designers is the dilemma of how to create secure public spaces without sacrificing openness and accessibility. The lattermost traits are what make successful civic environments so beloved, but security should always remain a fervent area of focus.
Listing every single security threat that could plague a public space would be impossible, but recent incidents of vehicle attacks on public spaces, deliberate assaults and lax security measures have rightfully made many people cautious. However, perpetrators using vehicles to ram into buildings, people or other vehicles, and causing mass casualties, can see their efforts thwarted with solutions that are often viewed as temporary or reserved purely for construction.
Maltaward’s approach to sophisticated public space perimeter protection offers the same level of stability and rigidity as permanent bollards and barriers with the flexibility of modern design. When considering perimeter security, rather than defaulting to permanent barriers or planters, designers can now deploy modular and movable concrete systems that blend well within the external aesthetic and, more importantly, keep security integrity at a high level.
Maltaward: Where engineering meets aesthetics
The challenge that landscape architects and urban designers consistently face is reconciling security with human-first design. Traditional security systems are often seen as unsightly but, as a specialist in temporary and permanent concrete barrier systems, Maltaward has observed how products like these have transitioned from physical site blockers to products that can seamlessly sit within an urban project.
At their core, interlocking concrete blocks function through mass and mechanical interlocking to create stable, impact-resistant barriers. Unlike bollards that require groundworks and excavations, these systems are solid and stable enough by being self-weighted and generating enough friction between each unit. With the help of special lifting equipment like HIAB cranes, these can be deployed quickly, reconfigured and removed with comparative ease, lending them well to to the demands of adaptable urban infrastructure.
The technical specifications of these barriers matter tremendously when confirming security requirements. High-quality interlocking barriers typically weigh between 500kg and 3,000kg per unit, with geometry designed to maximise stability whilst minimising footprint. The interlocking mechanism(s), often through vertical pins or geometric tessellation, should also provide resistance to substantial lateral force and heavy impact. Surface finishes are also worth consideration, as design elements like branding and colours can be applied, helping them contribute to the cohesive visual language of a public urban space.
Specification considerations for design professionals
For architects and landscape designers evaluating concrete barrier systems, several factors warrant questioning.
Coordinating barriers with existing paving grids, kerb lines, and traffic management can be more visually complementary. While painted finishes of concrete blocks can be aesthetically valuable in the short-term, ongoing maintenance (pigmentation, aggregate exposure, repainting, etc.) is an important factor. Rather than opt for immediate design solutions, consider long-term performance and flexibility when evaluating project and material lifecycle.
Block placement and transitions between vehicular and pedestrian routes should also be determined. Tactile paving, sufficient space, and the avoidance of encroachment on private land or existing traffic infrastructure must also be considered ahead of time. This is where coordination with local authorities, planning and security consultants remains vital, where liaison officer and potentially counter-terrorism input can be obtained.
The continuing development of these modular security systems, with future improvements in surface treatment, interlocking mechanisms and versatility all possible imminently, suggests that the gap between urban design quality and security foundations will only narrow in time. As such, the challenge, for the profession boils down to recognising when these products add value, rather than simply ticking a security box. Understanding their worth as multipurpose features complimentary of existing design architecture will help exponentially.