Complete Streets
Field(s):
Transportation Planning, Urban Design, Community Development, Health, Arts, & Social Planning
Region of Focus:
General, North America
Complete Streets refers to a policy and design approach that ensures roadways are planned, designed, operated, and maintained to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. This multimodal framework integrates:
Pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalks, crosswalks, curb extensions)
Cycling facilities (protected bike lanes, bike parking)
Transit accommodations (bus lanes, shelters, boarding islands)
Automobile access with calibrated speeds and lane widths
The approach challenges conventional traffic engineering paradigms by prioritizing equitable access over vehicular throughput, requiring interdisciplinary collaboration between planners, engineers, and community stakeholders.
Last update:
April 16, 2025
Developed by:
The Urban Lexis Editorial Team
Contributor(s):
With support from:
ChatGPT (by OpenAI) and DeepSeek
We acknowledge the assistance of AI tools in helping draft content. Final edits, fact-checking, and curatorial decisions were made by the Urban Lexis Editorial Team to ensure quality and relevance for our planning community.