The needs that drive complete streets policy are as unique as the communities they have taken root, but effective complete streets programs do share a few common traits.
"The concept of complete streets places the same priority on pedestrians, bicyclists and public transport users as on motorists," according to an article by Anna Bray Sharpin, Ben Welle, and Nikita Luke for TheCityFix that provides a guide to the core components of complete streets in the many global examples of complete streets programs. There are a lot of examples to choose from, according to the article, as "more than 1,140 agencies at the local, regional, and state levels have adopted complete streets policies in the United States, totalling more than 1,200 policies nationwide." And the idea has been translated around the world. "They are the so-called calles completas in Mexico, ruas completas in Brazil, and “streets for all” in India."
The post lists eight key elements to complete streets, listed below but detailed with more specificity in the article:
- An Active Streetscape
- Pedestrian-Scale Lighting
- Green Infrastructure
- Street Furniture
- Bicycle Facilities
- Signage
- Accessibility for All
- Surface Types
FULL STORY: What Makes a Complete Street? A Brief Guide
FTA Waives Local Funding Match for Complete Streets Projects
Local and state agencies can apply for federal Complete Streets funding without matching funds until 2026.
Chicago Advances Smart Streets, Complete Streets Ordinances
Two proposed laws would enhance road safety for bicyclists and pedestrians and improve the city’s multimodal infrastructure.
New Mexico Could Require Protected Bike Lanes With Road Projects
A proposed bill would require larger towns to add protected bike lanes to any new road improvements and direct state funding to applicable projects.
The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.
The Quiet Housing Crisis in Rural America
While housing shortages in major cities are grabbing headlines, rural communities are seeing higher rates of growth in housing prices and a silently spreading homelessness crisis.
Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise
A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
11,000 Housing Units Possible with S.F. Office Conversions, Study Says
A new study by SPUR and the Urban Land Institute’s San Francisco chapter estimates a specific number of apartment units that could be built from vacant office units in the city.
‘Arrested Mobility:’ How Transportation-Related Laws Impact Black Americans
A far-reaching new study highlights the disproportionate effect of biking and walking laws on the mobility of Black Americans.
California Attorney General Wants to Get Serious About Housing
A bill sponsored by the AG’s office would give the state’s top attorney more power to intervene in lawsuits related to the state’s housing laws.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Kingsville
Princeton Planning
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.
