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Washington is a monumental city, a showcase capital with iconic views.
華盛頓是一座不朽的城市，是擁有標誌性景觀的展示之都。
And that's because most planned public projects go through the Commission of Fine Arts,
這都是因為在華盛頓規劃的大多數公共項目都要經由美國美術委員會批准。
a presidentially appointed panel established by Congress in 1910.
美國美術委員會是由總統任命的專門小組，於1910年由國會成立。
The idea was to really lift the image of the city as an important international capital,
成立美術委員會的想法是為了真正提升華盛頓作為一個重要的國際首都的形象，
and to really push that idea of dignity and beauty
真正推行莊嚴和榜樣的理念，
and all these thingsthat you know really contribute to the image of the city.
以及所有這些真正有助於城市形象的東西。
The panel guides the architectural development of Washington,
該委員會指導華盛頓的建築發展，
and advises the federal government on matters related to the arts and national symbols, such as metals and coins.
並就藝術和國家象徵，如金屬和錢幣等問題向聯邦政府提供建議。
One of its most recent high-profile projects is the new White House fence, which is in the process of being installed.
該委員會最近正在為白宮安裝新圍欄，這個項目十分引人注目。
Basically almost doubling the size of the fence and give it some kind of blast and ram protection.
基本上我們把圍欄的尺寸增加了一倍，並給它提供了某種防爆和防撞保護。
So everything all the pieces had to be beefed up.
所有的東西都要加強。
And look good while doing it.
而且他們把這個項目做的很美觀。
Since the 2001 terror attacks, security is front and center.
自2001年恐怖襲擊以來，安全問題一直是最重要的問題。
We try to make it not look so much like it's there, or find ways to make it feel like it's part of the visual environment.
我們試著讓它看起來不那麼像實景，或者想辦法讓它感覺像是視覺環境的一部分。
So it doesn't feel like you're going into a place that's really repellent, which we actually work to try to make it still feel dignified and welcoming.
這樣你就不會覺得你進入了一個戒備森嚴的地方，我們努力使它仍然讓人感覺到受到尊重和受歡迎。
Pennsylvania avenue used to be a busy main street in front of the White House.
賓夕法尼亞大道曾是白宮前一條繁忙的主要街道。
It was closed to traffic for security reasons in 1995.
1995年因安全原因禁止車輛在此通行。
The Fine Arts Commission had a hand in making the secured area visually appealing.
美術委員會參與了這項工作，使安全區域在視覺上也更具吸引力。
At the Lincoln Memorial, the reflecting pool serves as a security barrier.
在林肯紀念堂，反射池起到了安全屏障的作用。
But visitors wouldn't know it.
但參觀者並不知道這一點。
The same is true of the walkways leading to the Washington Monument.
通往華盛頓紀念碑的人行道也是如此。
It is pretty severe security, but you don’t really feel like it, because it's actually a beautiful curving ramp that goes up to the monument itself.
這是非常嚴格的安全措施，但你其實感覺不到，因為它實際上是一個美麗的彎曲坡道，通往紀念碑。
Solar, storm drainage and the urban landscape, these are some of the newest issues to come before the commission.
太陽能，雨水排放和城市景觀，這些都是委員會面臨的一些最新問題。
The needs change over the decades, but the commission stays focused on maintaining a high quality look,
幾十年來，需求在不斷變化，但委員會始終專注於保持高質量的外觀，
so that the nation's capital never loses that special luster in Washington.
從而使美國首都華盛頓永遠不會失去其特殊的光彩。
Dora Macquarie VOA news
美國之音，記者多拉·麥格理報導