Guide to Street Design in Urban India

A new guidebook illustrates ways to create safer streets and more livable public spaces.

1 minute read

January 11, 2012, 12:00 PM PST

By Todd Litman


This detailed and illustrated manual, produced by the Institute for Transport and Development Policy and the Ahmedabad-based Environmental Planning Collaborative, provides guidance on how to apply good design to create attractive, safe multi-modal streets and more livable public spaces.

The manual describes sixteen street elements, such as footpaths, cycle tracks, medians, and spaces for street vending, and discusses the role each plays in an efficient, multi-use roadway. It identifies the different functions of streets and emphasizes the need to design complete streets that provide space for all users. It describes practical ways to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, and ways to avoid common pitfalls. Through the street and intersection templates one can get a sense of how the different elements come together for different types and sizes of streets. Finally, there is an overview of the activities that are undertaken as a part of the overall process of street design.

This manual is intended for planners, urban designers, landscape architects, civil engineers, government officials and citizens who are interested in improving the quality of urban environments and the character of city streets. Although produced in India, the authors feel it is "suitable for use in any urban area."

Better Streets, Better Cities [PDF, 52 MB]

Thanks to Todd Litman

Monday, January 9, 2012 in Institute for Transportation and Development Policy

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

45 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

1 hour ago - Cities Today

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

2 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA