The Best of the Best Complete Streets Policies

Complete streets policies are keeping planners busy across the country. An annual report features the best of the best when it comes to transforming city streets for the safety and activity of all users.

1 minute read

June 12, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Seattle Public Art

moonglee / Shutterstock

Rachel Dovey reports on the release of Smart Growth America's "Best Complete Streets Policies 2016" [pdf] report.

The report grants a three-way tie at the top of the report's ranking, with three cities achieving a perfect policy score of 100: Brockton, Massachusetts; Missoula, Montana; and Wenatchee, Washington.

Here Dovey explains more about the methodology of the report:

To assess a city’s streets, the coalition looks at resolutions, internal policies adopted by leadership, statements codified by stakeholders and tax ordinances. It measures those policies on a number of merits, including vision, design, implementation steps and the consideration of “all users and modes,” among others.

For last year's report, Kelsey E. Thomas wrote about the quick growth of complete streets policies around the country. A decade ago there were only 32 such policies in place. By 2016, there were 1,232 policies in the U.S and Puerto Rico.

Planetizen featured the release of the 2014 report and covered the 2013 report as well.

Thursday, June 8, 2017 in Next City

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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post