Complete Streets & Active Transportation

Think about that perfect boulevard. That street that makes you say “I’m going to go this way instead” because of how pleasant the experience is walking down that sidewalk or even driving under the comforting canopy of a treelined street. Beyond the street, what else is there?

A complete street also invites activity on its sidewalks by having its buildings oriented toward the street. Storefronts are easy to peer into as you pass by, and front doors are close to the sidewalk to facilitate neighborly connections. Taller residential clusters have porches and balconies to have a less abrupt transition of activity from the horizontal plain of the street to the vertical plain of the building facade. With buildings oriented toward the street, with limited setbacks and varying building heights, a sense of enclosure is created for the streetscape. A sense of enclosure is the feeling of comfort and security brought from being in a defined space created by surrounding buildings, trees or other vertical elements. This is a key aspect to a sense of place and a streetscape that supports active transportation. Ensuring your municipality’s zoning has limited setbacks, allows for varying building height, offers a mix of building-uses along main corridors, and at least allows for some density to foster a sense of enclosure are essential for creating a healthy network of complete streets that facilitate active transportation.