The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is one of the most important and highly visible urban public spaces in the U.S.  It is considered by many Americans to be “the nation’s front yard.” Yet few have written about the role of this public space in the twenty-first century.

In The National Mall, Lisa Benton-Short explores the critical issues that are redefining and reshaping this extraordinary public space. Her work focuses on three contemporary and interrelated debates about public space: the management challenges faced by federal authorities, increased demands for access and security post 9/11, and the role of the public in the Mall’s long-term planning and development plans. By taking a holistic view of the National Mall and analyzing the unique twenty-first century challenges it faces, Lisa Benton-Short provides a fluid, cohesive, and timely narrative that is as extraordinary as the Mall itself.