The US could catch up to an international safety standard, but bold action is still needed

While the number of people hit and killed while walking is declining across the world, the US is the only developed nation with an increasing number of pedestrian deaths year after year. In 2022, 7,522 people were hit and killed while walking. Now, we’re trying to play catch up by adopting a decades-old UN rule that falls short of necessary common-sense pedestrian safety measures.

Advocacy Complete Streets Transportation

Meet the cohort of the Massachusetts Champions’ Institute

Smart Growth America and Transportation for Massachusetts are launching a statewide program to equip elected officials from across Massachusetts to effectively advocate for and support safer and more complete streets in their communities. Today, we are excited to announce the 15 participants of the first-ever Massachusetts Champions’ Institute.

Complete Streets

How to avoid displacement and four other lessons from our 15 Community Connectors

Community Connectors is SGA’s program to help equip leaders in 15 small and mid-sized communities to repair the damage of divisive infrastructure. A few weeks ago, members from all 15 teams gathered in Washington DC to receive some extra technical assistance on two challenges that had emerged over the last 18 months of the program: … Continued

Advancing Racial Equity Economic development Events Technical assistance

Request for proposals: Community of practice design and facilitation

Smart Growth America (SGA) is seeking proposals from qualified firms or individuals to provide program design and facilitation services in support of a community of practice focused on culture, design, engagement, and federally funded infrastructure projects from December 2024 to November 2025. Services include project design, planning, implementation, and community of practice facilitation services. The … Continued

Advancing Racial Equity Arts and Culture

Durham, NC: Combining Vision Zero and Complete Streets to reach ambitious safety goals

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, a time to recognize the numerous dangers, indignities, and inconveniences that pedestrians face every day in this country. It is also a time to imagine and plan how to do things differently. One city that is taking steps toward becoming a better place for pedestrians is Durham, North Carolina.

Complete Streets

A note from Toccarra Nicole Thomas on the new Center for Zoning Solutions

For decades, zoning has been used as a tool to segregate and exclude. It has contributed to some of the biggest problems that communities across America face today: people can’t afford to buy homes (let alone rent), there’s an over-reliance on single-family-only housing options, and our sprawling communities are harming people’s health and the environment—not … Continued

Land Use and Development Zoning