Planning Commissioners Journal

What are "Complete Streets" -- draft article for your review

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville

Set out below is a draft article, What Are “Complete Streets,” by Hannah Twaddell prepared for publication in the Winter issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal. Hannah has reported on transportation topics in the PCJ for more than seven years.

As always, I encourage you to reply with any questions, comments, or other feedback you might have about this draft. We’re especially interested in hearing about any issues you’d like to see discussed that are not included in the draft. Also, if you'd had success with Complete Streets programs in your community or region, please consider taking a few minutes to let us know what you've accomplished.

*** If you use Linkedin, consider posting your comments under the Discussion item at: www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2463680 (you need to be a Linkedin member to access this page) OR email your feedback to me at: pcjoffice@gmail.com -- with a "cc" to Hannah at: hannah@twaddellassociates.com. For replies just sent to me, I'll assume it's OK to share your comments with the author unless you indicate otherwise in your email.

*** Please get back to us no later than Thursday, Dec. 1st.

-- DRAFT ARTICLE FOR YOUR REVIEW --

What Are “Complete Streets?”

by Hannah Twaddell

Over the past 140 years, American interest groups and engineering techniques for each type of roadway user have evolved separately. Our nation’s modern paved roadways were initially designed (and sometimes paid for) by bicyclists.[1] But their voices -- and most of their vehicles -- were overtaken in the early 20th century by the automobile users who ushered in the era of building high-speed highways.

In the 1970’s, bicyclists began again to lobby in earnest for better “bike/ped” facilities. Advocacy for improved public transit has since grown, as has our awareness of the need to make transportation systems safer for older adults, children, and people with disabilities. The complete streets movement provides a forum for all of these modal advocates to join forces with transportation engineers, planners, and community leaders in an effort to create truly multi-modal networks for 21st century travelers.

Complete streets are designed to be safe for everyone who uses them. In many places, especially in towns and cities, this can be quite a diverse group of folks. Roadway users may include drivers and passengers in cars, buses, delivery vans, 18-wheelers, and golf carts; fast-moving bicyclists who prefer riding in traffic; slower-moving cyclists (including children) who need to be separated from don’t want to ride near traffic; and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, including people handling wheelchairs or walkers, riding skateboards, roller blades, or segways, pushing baby strollers, and, oh yes, walking. 

Could any street be designed to support all these types of travelers? Yes. Should every street be designed this way? No. But a complete street network should provide safe, convenient paths for everyone who needs to get from one place to another. The complete streets concept is not about trying to make each and every road in a community serve all possible users, but it does aim to make sure all users can navigate safely.

What are You Guys Doing to Fix It? -- draft article for your review

Note from Planning Comm'rs Journal Editor Wayne Senville:

This article is no longer available for review. We usually post draft articles on our web site for about one to two weeks to allow for comment. This article will be published in our Winter 2012 issue, due out at the end of January.

Substantial Savings on PCJ Back Issues

To clear our inventory, we have just dramatically reduced the price of the printed copies of the 21 PCJ issues published between 2006 and 2011 to just $6.00 (just $4.50 each for PCJ subscribers). Take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity from the Planning Commissioners Journal while issues remain available. Maximum $5.00 shipping charge on any order, regardless of quantity of back issues ordered. Note to PCJ subscribers: activate your 25% discount now -- then use the links below for the back issues you're interested in. Having trouble deciding which back issues you want? Get all 21 of the back issues listed below for just $80.00 ($60.00 for PCJ subscribers -- less than $3.00 each!), plus only $5.00 postage for all 21 issues: Use the above button to order all 21 of the following back issues. To order individual issues, use the links for each issue listed below.

PCJ #82, Spring 2011 Putting Words Into Action -- articles on: how to strengthen connections between your comp plan and land use regulations; bringing an economic perspective to planning; what scale of development works best; and more. Plus Ed McMahon on whether the era of strip development is nearing an end.

PCJ #81, Winter 2011 Recognizing Community Assets -- articles on cultural asset mapping; understanding urban growth boundaries; tips for citizen planners; the control of billboards; and more.

PCJ #80, Fall 2010 Where Are We Heading? -- articles on how transportation planning can help foster livable communities; the importance of "place making;" understanding regional retail development; conducting a "community character" inventory; and considering the defintion of what's "sustainable."

PCJ #79, Summer 2010 Open for Business -- articles in this issue focus on the relationship between planning and local economies, inlcuding a look at the role of business improvement districts. Also in this issue: ways planning commissions can work better together as a group; and more.

PCJ #78, Spring 2010 Housing Choices -- including articles on how changing demographics are affecting housing demand -- and how planners can respond. Also in this issue: drafting clear ordinances: do's and dont's; 21st century transportation planning challenges; and more.

PCJ #77, Winter 2010 Contentious Public Hearings -- planners and planning commissioners from across the country offer practical suggestions based on what's worked in their communities. Also in this issue: building your planning process from the ground up.

PCJ #76, Fall 2009 Zoning for Religious Institutions -- a primer on key zoning issues. Also in this issue: tips on preparing & implementing the comp plan; planning for public transit in rural communities; where's art in planning; and more.

PCJ #75, Summer 2009 Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities -- featuring a report on the changing role of libraries and how they can become important economic engines of downtowns and neighborhoods. Also in this issue: tips on becoming a more effective public speaker, and more.

PCJ #74, Spring 2009 Getting the Density You Want -- how you can plan for the density that works best for your community. Also in this issue: picking up the phone to generate citizen involvement; implementing the comp plan; improving roadways for everyone; and more.

PCJ #73, Winter 2009 Managing Stormwater -- featuring two articles on the changing nature of stormwater management. Also in this issue: the ABC's of transit-oriented development; conducting a community self-assessment; and more.

PCJ #72, Fall 2008 Pattern Books for Communities -- featuring a look at the growing use of pattern books. Also in this issue: an overview of GIS & planning; dealing with information overload; and more.

PCJ #71, Summer 2008 Envisioning Greenways -- a "four-step path" to developing a successful greenway trail. Also in this issue: an introduction to charrettes; strategies for guiding development at the edge of a community; key elements in a visioning process; and more.

PCJ #70, Spring 2008 Ready for Car Sharing? -- a look at how car sharing programs work and some of the key challenges involved. Also in this issue: chairing the planning commission; examining ex-parte contacts; involving Generation Xers in planning; and more.

PCJ #69, Winter 2008 Downtown Futures -- Editor Wayne Senville's trip across the U.S. focused on how a number of communities have sought to strengthen -- or create -- downtowns and town centers.

PCJ #68, Fall 2007 Crossing America -- reports from meetings with planners along U.S. Route 50 from Maryland to California: Small Cities, Big Challenges; Rain to Recreation; First Suburbs; Village People; and Around Town. Also in this issue: assessing the need for a bypass highway; and more.

PCJ #67, Summer 2007 Roadways -- including three articles on roadways: planning for better roadscapes; dealing with commercial strips; and a look at the ITE urban thoroughfares reports.

PCJ #66, Spring 2007 Housing for All? -- changes in public policy and design practices are beginning to prepare for the growing number of seniors who want to "age in place." Also in this issue: approaches to better engaging the public in planning; McMansions and the geometry of zoning; downtown economic development; and more.

PCJ #65, Winter 2007 To Build or Not to Build -- featuring "Proforma 101: Getting Familiar With a Basic Tool of Real Estate Analysis." Also in this issue: a look at the growing interest in walkable communities.

PCJ #64, Fall 2006 Where We Remember -- Planners and planning commissioners often fail to give serious attention to cemetery needs; an overview of issues that come up in planning for them. Also in this issue: why downtown main streets are good for the environment; the importance of "framing" messages; and more.

PCJ #63, Summer 2006 Farm to Community -- featuring articles on food & agriculture, including: Farmland Protection: What's Behind the Growing Interest; Community Food Needs & Opportunities; the Journey from Farm to Table; and Downtown Grocery Stores.

PCJ #62, Spring 2006 Center Places -- a growing number of suburban cities are seeking to creat a hub for their community -- a look at some efforts and the challenges they face. Also in this issue: basics of developing roadway corridor plans; and more.

Your Community & Journeys Into Hidden America

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville:

Here's an opportunity that might interest your community. One of our regular columnists, Della Rucker of the Wise Economy Workshop, is looking for stories about communities to be produced for radio broadcast on behalf of a Sirius - XM (c) producer. Here's her request:

  

I have been working for a couple of years with the Journeys Into Hidden America multi-media platform to expand opportunities for states and communities to tell the stories that make them unique, and leverage those stories for increased awareness and economic investment. One of Journeys Into's outlets is a segment that airs every week on the Sirius-XM show Left Jab. 

 

Starting in January, the Left Jab segment is going to focus each week on the states where the current presidential primaries or caucuses are taking place. The idea of the segment is to highlight something that makes that state unique -- some specific story about its history, a local product, a sports team, a food ... The producers are looking for a mix of interesting and entertaining stories. Stories will be aired on national satellite radio, but perhaps more importantly, they will also be available as a podcast recording for local governments, community organizations, state agencies, and others to distribute to potential businesses, posts on website, or even serve as a kickoff for a full series of unique promotional podcasts.