Complete streets make space for all forms of transportation. This one is in Stockholm. Photo by EURIST e. V., used under Creative Commons licensing.Today's pick, Completing Our Streets, comes from our Executive Editor, Heather Boyer.
This timely and well-written book begins with clarification on what it is NOT: It is not another explanation of the problems of the automobile-oriented system. It is not a design manual showing the perfect complete street. It is not painting a vision of an ideal future.
This book is a guide to converting a community’s transportation investments to ensure safe streets for everyone. Barbara achieves this by telling a story of change, and imbedding tips, insights, and tools.
There are any number of beautiful street design books available—from our NACTO guides to the recent Street Design by John Massengale and Victor Dover. Completing Our Streets helps to make those design guides relevant by providing a path for convincing policymakers, citizens, and other stakeholders that changes in our streets are necessary in the name of safety, equity, economic strength, and sustainability.
At the same time that city centers are resurging, Millenials are demanding more transportation options, and cities are trying to improve public safety—from New York’s Vision Zero to LA’s Great Streets—there is a backlash from the car culture enmeshed in US cities. Taking back a slice of our most ubiquitous public space—the street—from the automobile takes more than a strong mayor. It requires strategy, know how, and some knowledge of what is possible. Barbara McCann, from her work as a CNN writer and producer, to founder of the Complete Streets Coalition, provides the necessary framework for creating a successful Complete Streets strategy and the inspiration to move it forward.
Completing Our Streets and all our other hardcover and paperback books are on sale for 50-70% off through September 30.
Meghan Bartels
Publicity and marketing associate at Island Press; avid reader and tea drinker.