Washington, D.C.’s National Mall is arguably “America’s greatest 20th century work of civic landscape art.” But in recent years, politicians have given their blessing to a series of projects which Christopher Knight says are ruining the whole area. “The Mall’s planning and oversight process is irreparably broken. At least six federal agencies, eight congressional committees, plus the District of Columbia have jurisdiction — so many competing overlords that no one is effectively in charge. That makes it ripe for exploitation.”