Introducing a brand new framework for grading Complete Streets policies
We’ve got big news to share: As you hopefully know already, each year the Coalition releases an analysis and ranking of the best Complete Streets policies in the country based on 10 policy elements that were established more than a decade ago. Beginning in 2018, we will be using a brand new framework to analyze and rank Complete Streets policies.
We’ve officially revised our policy grading rubric, known as the 10 Elements of a Complete Streets Policy. The Complete Streets movement has evolved since it began in 2004 to focus far more on implementation and equity, but the framework for grading the quality of policies hasn’t kept pace. For months, a group of national stakeholders, consisting of engineers, planners, researchers, and advocates, worked to revise the policy elements and truly raise the bar for what Complete Streets look like in practice.
While we’re encouraged by the more than 1,200 Complete Streets policies that have been adopted to date, we’ve learned that just policy adoption alone is not enough to create safer streets and provide everyone with access to safe and convenient ways to travel. The new framework requires more accountability from jurisdictions and provisions to include the needs of the most vulnerable users. Our Steering Committee voted to approve the final framework in September 2017— all in an effort to create streets that are safer and more convenient for everyone, no matter their age, race, ethnicity, income, physical ability, or how they choose to travel.
November will be Complete Streets Month at SGA
November is going to be Complete Streets month at Smart Growth America, and throughout the month, we will be sharing a series of blog posts that cover and explain each of the 10 revised policy elements in some detail. We caught up with a few of our Steering Committee members to hear what they thought about the new framework and what we all can do to more effectively implement Complete Streets in a fashion that improves equity and opportunity. Starting this week, stay tuned for the first post on one of our new elements: Vision & Intent.
Here is what you need to know:
- Have questions about the changes? Join us as we discuss how the new grading rubric will affect future policies during our webinar on December 1, 2017 at 1:00pm ET. The entire new grading rubric resource will be released on our website shortly before the webinar. Register for the webinar today >>
- Changes for Best Complete Streets Policies Report 2017
- For all policies adopted in 2017, we will score each jurisdiction’s policy using the old grading rubric and include those scores in the Best Complete Streets Policies 2017 report appendix.
- We are now accepting nominations for the Best Complete Streets initiatives. Do you know of a project, initiative, event, person, task force, etc. that exemplifies Complete Streets? Fill out this brief nomination form >>
For any additional questions contact Nimotalai Azeez at [email protected]