Complete Streets
Complete Streets Design Principles prioritises safety, access, and mobility for everyone, whether walking, cycling, driving, or taking mass transit.
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A street is considered complete if it facilitates the safe movement of users of all ages, abilities, and transportation modes.
Complete Streets is a transportation design and policy strategy that ensures streets are safe, accessible, and inviting for all road users. It emphasises inclusive mobility and public space that works for people of every age and ability.
KEY PRINCIPLES OF COMPLETE STREETS
01
Design for all users
Whether pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, drivers, or delivery services, streets should accommodate everyone safely and comfortably.
02
Multimodal infrastructure
Incorporate protected bike lanes, wide pavements, accessible crossings, public transport lanes, and parking in a way that separates and supports all modes.
03
Accessibility by design
Use curb cuts, tactile paving, audio signals, and ADA-compliant pushbuttons so people with reduced mobility can navigate independently.
04
Traffic calming & safety features
Include medians, narrower lanes, curb extensions, speed bumps, and reduced turn radii to slow vehicle speeds and lower crash risk.
05
Context-sensitive design
Tailor solutions to local conditions: street function, adjacent land use, community character, and target speeds to enhance liveability and safety.
06
Community engagement & equity focus
Engage residents, businesses, and stakeholders early, and ensure policies prioritise equity in planning and investments.
07
Data-driven planning & performance measurement
Use traffic counts, safety and usage data to inform design, measure outcomes, and report progress transparently
08
Integrated policy & project scope
Apply Complete Streets principles across all project types e.g new builds, retrofits, maintenance, and embed them into zoning, regulations, developer practices, and cross-agency coordination
Design guidelines example
Ethiopian Urban Street Design
Complete street designs are part of a suite of measures that can enable Ethiopian cities to facilitate a high mode share for active modes (more than 60%) and ensure that public transport carries at least 80% of motorised trips (MOT, 2020).
The sustainable long-term solution for efficient mobility is to invest in high-quality public transport and non-motorised transport facilities.
Investment in flyovers and elevated highways may reduce congestion temporarily, but the sustainable alternative is to provide dedicated sufficient spaces for mass rapid transit (especially BRT), supported by comfortable, safe, and continuous walking and cycling facilities. (Source: ITDP)
Photo by ITDP
Design guidelines example
Kenya Street Design Guide
With Kenya’s urban population projected to reach 23 million by 2030, connectivity to education, employment, and social opportunities is fundamental to the country’s development.
Kenya must start providing the required urban transport facilities and services to enable the citizens to access opportunities safely and efficiently.
Besides reducing the risk of death and serious injury, more inclusive street designs will yield significant co-benefits, including better access to jobs and opportunities, lower demand for travel by motorised vehicles, and reduced air pollution.
Photo by ITDP
Design guidelines example
Johannesburg Complete Street Design
In 2006, the City of Johannesburg developed and adopted a growth and development strategy, to align the long-term vision for the City with the short-term Integrated Development Planning process.
The Joburg 2040 GDS strategy defines the type of society the city aspires to achieve, by 2040. The strategy restates the City’s resolve in confronting the past injustices created during Apartheid, working towards a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and just City.
The City of Johannesburg Complete Streets Design Guideline Manual will guide the City in developing a street system that is in line with the concept of Liveability by encouraging the walking and cycling modes, caters for all users groups and encourages the use of public transport.
